Awaken Bible Prophecy Update 5-10-23: Blame Scripture for Partial Rapture Reference

Here we go again.  Once more I’m compelled to bring up this topic simply because I read the Bible.  To give you a sense of this, since I was saved in 2005, I’ve on average read the entire Bible front to back very close to two times per year.  There have been multiple years I’ve read the entire Bible three to four times in twelve months, others only once in a year.  This doesn’t make me any more righteous or holy than anyone else; what is does do is provide a very sound basis for my Scriptural exegesis.  I’m not so hot at memorizing verses, but God has given me the means to know His Word pretty thoroughly.  The other thing He has done is given me the capability of reasoning through the Bible: to read, to comprehend, and to explain using Scripture as proof for other Scripture.  Again, this doesn’t make me necessarily right all the time, but in my doing this, I’m being obedient to what God commands through the Holy Spirit.

What do I mean by that?  God says in Isaiah 1:18:

“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord:
though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red like crimson,
they shall become like wool.”

Yes, this is in context about God pointing out the sins of His people so that they will understand their need to repent, however, the sense also is that God wants His people to think and to use logic in relation to Him and His ways.  Confirming this principle is the praise for the Bereans in Acts 17:11:

Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

The implication is that the Jews in Thessalonica did not research what Paul said.  They didn’t critically read the Scriptures.  Their understanding was limited and flawed since they had no basis for their feelings and beliefs that ran contrary to what Paul preached.  As a result, they came against Paul to persecute him so that he had to flee.

With this as background, let me just say: Hey, don’t blame the messenger.  I’m just doing my best to interpret what God had His scribes relate for all of us to read.  If you have issues as to what I’m going to expound on here, I certainly understand and encourage you to contend for the faith as you understand it.  But listen, that does not mean simply saying: “I disagree.”  It does not mean simply quoting a bunch of Bible verses that you believe oppose my conclusions.  No, if you want to argue against my reasoning, then you likewise need to reason.  If I’m attempting to use logic to explain what I conclude, then you also should use your mind to provide rationale for your opposition.  Is that too much to ask?

My challenge to you is to seriously consider the arguments I make here and address them specifically.  Why is my reasoning flawed?  How is my interpretation of what I read and understand in God’s Word contrary to your understanding?  What do you think the Scriptures I comment upon mean?

 

 

Transcript:

Here we go again.  Once more I’m compelled to bring up this topic simply because I read the Bible.  To give you a sense of this, since I was saved in 2005, I’ve on average read the entire Bible front to back very close to two times per year.  There have been multiple years I’ve read the entire Bible three to four times in twelve months, others only once in a year.  This doesn’t make me any more righteous or holy than anyone else; what is does do is provide a very sound basis for my Scriptural exegesis.  I’m not so hot at memorizing verses, but God has given me the means to know His Word pretty thoroughly.  The other thing He has done is given me the capability of reasoning through the Bible: to read, to comprehend, and to explain using Scripture as proof for other Scripture.  Again, this doesn’t make me necessarily right all the time, but in my doing this, I’m being obedient to what God commands through the Holy Spirit.

 

What do I mean by that?  God says in Isaiah 1:18:

 

“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord:
though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red like crimson,
they shall become like wool.”

 

Yes, this is in context about God pointing out the sins of His people so that they will understand their need to repent, however, the sense also is that God wants His people to think and to use logic in relation to Him and His ways.  Confirming this principle is the praise for the Bereans in Acts 17:11:

 

Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

 

The implication is that the Jews in Thessalonica did not research what Paul said.  They didn’t critically read the Scriptures.  Their understanding was limited and flawed since they had no basis for their feelings and beliefs that ran contrary to what Paul preached.  As a result, they came against Paul to persecute him so that he had to flee.

 

With this as background, let me just say: Hey, don’t blame the messenger.  I’m just doing my best to interpret what God had His scribes relate for all of us to read.  If you have issues as to what I’m going to expound on here, I certainly understand and encourage you to contend for the faith as you understand it.  But listen, that does not mean simply saying: “I disagree.”  It does not mean simply quoting a bunch of Bible verses that you believe oppose my conclusions.  No, if you want to argue against my reasoning, then you likewise need to reason.  If I’m attempting to use logic to explain what I conclude, then you also should use your mind to provide rationale for your opposition.  Is that too much to ask?

 

My challenge to you is to seriously consider the arguments I make here and address them specifically.  Why is my reasoning flawed?  How is my interpretation of what I read and understand in God’s Word contrary to your understanding?  What do you think the Scriptures I comment upon mean?

 

So . . . here we go.  Let’s pray first, read from God’s Word, and explore this topic further.

 

<PRAY>

 

Scripture:

 

Zechariah 13:8-9

In the whole land, declares the Lord,
two thirds shall be cut off and perish,
and one third shall be left alive.
And I will put this third into the fire,
and refine them as one refines silver,
and test them as gold is tested.
They will call upon my name,
and I will answer them.
I will say, ‘They are my people’;
and they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’”

 

 

Blame Scripture for Partial Rapture Reference

 

  • You’ll understand later why I use these verses in Zechariah to begin.
  • We’ll come back to them as we close for today.

 

  • In my recent reading of Psalm 89:28-34 I got to thinking of God as to how He’s portrayed in the Old Testament versus how He’s seen in the New Testament.
  • Here is this passage:

 

My steadfast love I will keep for him forever,
and my covenant will stand firm for him.
I will establish his offspring forever
and his throne as the days of the heavens.
If his children forsake my law
and do not walk according to my rules,
if they violate my statutes
and do not keep my commandments,
then I will punish their transgression with the rod
and their iniquity with stripes,
but I will not remove from him my steadfast love
or be false to my faithfulness.
I will not violate my covenant
or alter the word that went forth from my lips.

 

  • The typical characterization of God in the OT is that He is a wrathful judge, angry, and without mercy.
  • Because of the “Jesus is my boyfriend” movement these days, Jesus as God in the NT is love, love, love.
  • He is all mercy and grace with no condemnation or judgment in his character.
  • The problem with this is Hebrews 13:8:

 

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

 

  • In other words, there is no difference in the God of the OT versus the God of the NT.
  • However, even Christians who don’t take this extreme love-only view, still miss the fact that Christ must judge and act now even as He did in ancient times.

 

  • The Psalm 89 passage quoted above is God speaking and referring to David.
  • David is the stand-in for the people of Israel and by extension, those who love Jesus Christ.
  • God is faithful in all circumstances.
  • His love is from everlasting to everlasting.
  • How He loved in the past is the same as how He loves today.
  • How He punished in the past because of the transgressions of His people Israel is no different than what it is today with those who follow Jesus Christ.

 

  • Previously, Israel had only the Law to enable them to walk righteously.
  • However, there were those who completely understood that they must still have a relationship with the living God – one from the heart – so as to be blessed by Him.
  • David and others realized this.
  • It’s why he’s called a man after God’s own heart.
  • I’ve called David’s faith “believing loyalty” because he never turned from God to worship any other divine entity or its idol.
  • That’s the key to true faith that the Lord wants for all of us.
  • Review the first two of the Ten Commandments to verify this concept:

 

  • #1 – You shall have no other gods before me.
  • #2 – You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them

 

  • When Jesus came, He made it clear that the Law was simply to be a mirror showing our sinful nature and need for a Savior.
  • Regardless, God expected His people Israel to comprehend their need to walk in love and grace – the Way that Jesus demonstrated when He appeared on the scene.
  • Remember what is always – correctly – said:
    • The Law and the Prophets pointed forward in time to Jesus;
    • Today, having Jesus’ example and the Word of God, we look backward at Him.
  • Either way, God is the same.
  • His standards don’t vary from one era to the next.

 

  • Consider again Psalm 89:29-33:

 

I will establish his offspring forever
and his throne as the days of the heavens.
If his children forsake my law
and do not walk according to my rules,
if they violate my statutes
and do not keep my commandments,
then I will punish their transgression with the rod
and their iniquity with stripes,
but I will not remove from him my steadfast love
or be false to my faithfulness.

 

  • If the generations of Israelites after David did not faithfully follow God, they were to be subject to His punishment.
  • God isn’t speaking of eternal damnation here; He is talking about punishment and correction.
  • However, despite their disobedience to Him, God would never stop loving them.

 

  • Is there a correlation to Christians today?
  • I think there might be.
  • In relation to the pre-Tribulation Rapture, this is possibly another passage that provides guidance as to what might happen in that event.

 

  • As I always say, I am not dogmatic about this, but I believe now after studying it for quite some time that the concept of a so-called Partial Rapture may be valid.
  • First, let me say that I am a fervent pre-Tribulation Rapture believer.
  • I think it’s the only logical and Scripturally sound interpretation of this glorious event.
  • However, I’ve come to question the idea that Salvation = Rapture.

 

  • There are many true Bible-believing and -obeying Christ followers.
  • The problem is that there are also many who are no doubt truly saved, but who do not walk with Christ as their Lord.
  • In other words, He is their Savior, but not their Lord.
  • Typically, these are called carnal Christians.
  • I think this is problematic.
  • There are far too many Christians (by the true definition of that label) who consistently sin in a deliberate manner, living according to their flesh.

 

  • What does this mean as to the pre-Trib Rapture?
  • I’ve explored this on at least a couple of other
  • If we consider this in relation to Psalm 89, what do we have?

 

  • God’s children, whether Israelite or Christian are certain to inadvertently walk astray from God because of their sinful nature.
  • However, when we deliberately forsake God’s law . . .
    • don’t walk according to His way,
    • violate His statutes,
    • and do not keep His commandments,
    • this does not sit well with God.
  • We may be His children, but He must and will punish us for our transgressions.
  • Why? Because He wants to correct us so that we will obediently follow Him.

 

  • Concerning the Salvation = Rapture concept . . .
    • if someone saved meets the definition of this psalm in disobeying God’s will,
    • then when does the rod, with the stripes it makes, come in so as to punish such people?
  • In other words, if a Christian has earned such punishment but is Raptured because he’s saved, when will this judgment upon him occur?
  • Something is wrong in this equation.

 

  • If God is to be true to His Word, then disobedience of this nature must receive due correction and/or punishment.
  • This is not a reward issue with crowns, etc.
  • This is something far deeper and, I think, must be dealt with here on earth.
  • How might that happen?

 

  • That’s where the idea of the Partial Rapture comes in.
  • Let me say that I don’t think there will be multiple Raptures as this concept is often portrayed.
  • There’s only the single pre-Trib Rapture.

 

  • If the Partial Rapture is “a thing” then how will it work?
  • As I see it, those who are saved and aren’t the ones identified in Psalm 89, will be taken when Jesus appears in the clouds for us.
  • The rest will be left behind along with unbelievers.

 

  • It’s been portrayed that once the Rapture happens, many of those unsaved and remaining who heard the Gospel will realize their folly and turn to Christ in true belief.
  • I’m sure that’s true.
  • Consider those who know God but have disdained their salvation by not adhering to His Word, and in this scenario aren’t taken by Christ.
  • I imagine an awful lot of them would pretty quickly get down on their knees and make a profession of faith that means they’ll serve Him no matter what.
  • Surely, some won’t because they’ll be bitter, but it’s not as if God abandoned them.
  • They already abandoned Him by their lifestyle choices.

 

  • Just think of the revival that occurs with the confluence of left behind believers and those unbelievers who now come to trust in Christ!

 

  • This really meets the description of all those before the throne when the 5th Seal is opened in Revelation 6:9-11:

 

When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.

 

  • This early conversion in the Tribulation results in massive martyrdom.
  • None of these are Raptured;
    • they are killed for their true faith.
  • Likewise, as the Tribulation proceeds, there will be others martyred for the Word of the Lord;
    • none will be Raptured.

 

  • We as Christ-followers have an obligation to honor this great salvation which has been given to us.
  • This is a privilege we’ve been granted.
  • Why should we not also have a responsibility that accompanies it?
  • I think that responsibility is to in fact make Jesus our Lord in how we live.
  • If we don’t do that, there are consequences.
  • God has not been bashful in describing in multiple passages of His Word the if-then requirements He places on His people.
  • Do you think that such obligations only apply to the Jews?
  • If they obey Him, then He will bless them.
  • If they disobey Him, then He will curse them.
  • Read Deuteronomy 28 for a full picture of this, among many other such Scriptures.
  • Thus, it’s hard for me to wrap my head around God simply ushering into heaven in the Rapture those who have been deliberately disobedient to Him.
  • They knew better, but essentially refused to take God’s grace for their salvation to heart.

 

  • Perhaps I’m wrong.
  • If I’m not, then for those of you who disagree, what’s the real problem?
  • If what I say is a warning to those walking contrary to God’s will in a carnal manner, you and I who make Jesus Savior and Lord have no worries.
  • It’s those who don’t who may have issues.

 

  • Are we not to warn those who deliberately sin?
  • What does James 5:19-20 say?

 

My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

 

  • When Scripture makes a statement like this, it’s not done in a vacuum.
  • There’s a reason behind it.
  • Doesn’t this imply that someone saved CAN deliberately sin?
  • Does it not also imply that if that person is not brought back out of his sin he will die?
  • That’s strong language that goes to the Once Saved Always Saved issue as well.
  • But for our purposes today, it certainly means there is a dreadful punishment of some sort.

 

  • Here’s a question to ponder:
    • Would it not possibly be a mercy of God to allow those whose sin in disobedience has kept them from walking with Him as they should, to go into the Tribulation in order to learn obedience and dependence on Him so as to make Him Lord of their lives?

 

  • That’s a rough concept, isn’t it?
  • Consider, might it be possible that such people not walking with the Lord as He requires don’t do so because they lack the fear of God?

 

  • What does Proverbs 9:10 say?

 

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

 

  • If one isn’t walking with God, does that not demonstrate a lack of wisdom?
  • Thus, such a person doesn’t fear Him.

 

  • This could result in saved people who have little wisdom because they don’t fear God being required by Him to enter the Tribulation so as to actually learn to fear the Lord and gain that wisdom.

 

  • After all, those who don’t fear God and are walking in sin typically practice various sins.
  • Wouldn’t that be true?
  • Listen to Psalm 101:7:

 

No one who practices deceit
shall dwell in my house;
no one who utters lies
shall continue before my eyes.

 

  • Couldn’t this apply to that sinful, saved person, that carnal Christian?
  • And what does God say about him?
  • He won’t dwell in His house nor come into His presence.
  • Well, that’s certainly contradictory to the idea of Salvation = Rapture.

 

  • That’s the OT, you say; surely under NT grace God wouldn’t decree such separation.
  • Really?
  • How about Galatians 5:19-21?

 

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

 

  • Is it possible that saved people walking in sin might engage in these various works of the flesh?
  • Would you bet against that?
  • God clearly says that anyone doing such things – this would be deliberately and repeatedly – will not inherit His kingdom.

 

  • If that’s the case, how might He bring correction or rebuke so that this person turns from his sinful lifestyle that he’s practiced despite a true profession of faith?
  • In reality, just because someone has faith doesn’t mean he’s walking with God.
  • He can believe Jesus died for him, confess with his heart and mind, even repent, but if there isn’t a transformative lifestyle, God needs to fix that in this person.
  • Now you might say, that this person wasn’t really saved.
  • Maybe, but I think there’s plenty of evidence that a whole lot of born-again Christians are carnal and walk according to the flesh.

 

  • Psalm 107:10-22 is instructive to us as to how God brings His wayward people to the right place in their hearts regarding Him:

 

Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death,
prisoners in affliction and in irons,
for they had rebelled against the words of God,
and spurned the counsel of the Most High.
So he bowed their hearts down with hard labor;
they fell down, with none to help.
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death,
and burst their bonds apart.
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
For he shatters the doors of bronze
and cuts in two the bars of iron.

 

Some were fools through their sinful ways,
and because of their iniquities suffered affliction;
they loathed any kind of food,
and they drew near to the gates of death.
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
He sent out his word and healed them,
and delivered them from their destruction.
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving,
and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!

 

  • Does Salvation = Rapture?
  • I think there’s plenty of evidence to seriously question if this is the case.
  • If the equation isn’t true, then it very well may be that a Partial Rapture results for the disobedient in Christ in order for God to purify them in their faith.

 

  • Again, why should we not bring warning to those living dangerously?
  • Better to be warned so that correction can be made rather than face the possibility of being left behind.
  • Why would you disagree with this idea and not warn these people?

 

  • Consider what God will do with the people of Israel in the Great Tribulation as recorded in Zechariah 13:8-9 that we began with:

 

In the whole land, declares the Lord,
two thirds shall be cut off and perish,
and one third shall be left alive.
And I will put this third into the fire,
and refine them as one refines silver,
and test them as gold is tested.
They will call upon my name,
and I will answer them.
I will say, ‘They are my people’;
and they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’”

 

  • God will refine them in a furnace of Tribulation.
  • Are carnal Christians immune from such merciful – refining – treatment by God so that they will truly love and serve the Lord for all eternity?

 

  • In conclusion, here’s a question for you: What is more loving?
    • To reassure a saved, sinful person that all is well, and he’ll be Raptured because he’s born again when that reassurance might be incorrect?
    • Or to warn him of the possibility that he could potentially be left behind because of the lifestyle he’s chosen through his serious absence of fear and reverence for the Lord?

 

  • Don’t forget what God spoke to the prophet in Ezekiel 3:17-21:

 

“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. If I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, in order to save his life, that wicked person shall die for his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, or from his wicked way, he shall die for his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul. Again, if a righteous person turns from his righteousness and commits injustice, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die. Because you have not warned him, he shall die for his sin, and his righteous deeds that he has done shall not be remembered, but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the righteous person not to sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live, because he took warning, and you will have delivered your soul.”

 

  • For those of us truly saved and walking with the Lord, every one of us has watchman duties in this day and age.
  • God says there is a price to pay for our not warning others of their sin.
  • God also says there is sin in a person who has turned from righteousness – or if you will: a saved person – that must be eradicated.

 

  • If you hold a Salvation = Rapture position, do you really want to be that watchman described here who shirked his duties with all the related consequences?

 

  • Not me.
  • I’d rather warn of the possibility and be wrong than not warn at all.
  • We all have that choice.
  • What is yours?

14 Responses to “Awaken Bible Prophecy Update 5-10-23: Blame Scripture for Partial Rapture Reference”

  1. Reply Jessica Smith

    I am not one for debating anything, I do not consider myself well equipped for that task. I did want to share my thoughts…. If a person is truly saved, Jesus has taken their sins: past, present and future. Their name is written in the Lambs Book of Life. It can not be removed. We are all sinners saved by Grace. We have earthly punishments for sin. As for those who willfully sin, again, I go back to the past present future thing. God doesn’t see that sin, Jesus took the place of it all. They will miss out on rewards in heaven. Ok, that’s all I have. I thank you for you updates. And I will take the time to ponder this more.

  2. Reply JudeC

    I like you after studying the scriptures for over forty years have come to the same conclusions. I didn’t get there from hearing opinions from men but from the scriptures themselves. I think it is the only way to fully understand the parable of the ten virgins, I have heard many try to explain this parable in various ways. They miss they true meaning it is not a works issue it is a heart issue. We are to love the Lord with all our hearts soul and might, and if you do you can’t but long for his return.

    • Reply Gary Ritter

      That really is a problem when this idea surfaces. People want to make it a works righteous thing, and that’s not at all the issue.

  3. Reply Peggy Matte

    Gary, once again, I ponder your thoughts in a positive manner, as I always see the logic behind your scriptural opinions. In many ways, your conclusions here help me with worries about close friends and relatives that I fear not making the rapture, even though they are very good, moral people. I can say that the one I have been most worried about and “warned” the most because of worry about his natural inability to understand some things – God answered my prayers and I have seen that I can be at peace on this one. I have seen true spiritual changes that make me know he is now wide awake, even if he does not 100% understand all the words. It was worth all the “warnings” and not giving up. As a postscript, God revealed this to me when I was pondering (researching) on your Jazz Jennings lesson last week and He dropped a totally unrelated youtube video into the search, unrelated to that subject matter whatsoever, with an answer to my prayer, putting me at peace. 🙂 Thank you.

    • Reply Gary Ritter

      It doesn’t make any sense to me that we don’t take God’s Word from the OT into account when considering important issues like the Rapture. All I ask of others when I examine Scripture and come to a conclusion is that others do likewise. Let’s not go blindly down the rabbit hole – let’s think more deeply.

  4. Reply Frisco Vigario

    I do not wish to be contentious as I follow Gary’s teachings with an open mind – but I am of the opinion that one must rightly divide the word of God as per 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

    I do not believe that the entire bible was written directly to the body of Christ. Paul is the apostle to the Gentiles – “The dispensation of grace”. Salvation to the Gentiles who have believed in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ belong to the ‘body of Christ’.

    This was a mystery hidden in God since ‘before the foundation of the earth’ – which was revealed to Paul. This mystery is for the body of Christ only. The rapture is for the body of Christ only and is found ONLY in the writings of Paul (Romans to Philemon).

    You cannot therefore go to the old testament (including the gospels) and the books written directly to the Jews (Hebrews to Revelation) to find the rapture of the church.
    The 12 apostles were told by Jesus not to go to the Gentiles – this is confirmed also in the book of Acts. Jews that believed that Jesus was their Messiah under Jesus and Peter’s teaching – up until the stoning of Steven were expecting to enter “The Kingdom”. This was postponed.
    Enter Paul, chosen by God – the apostle to the Gentiles.
    In my opinion ‘The Church’ – Jew and Gentile will be raptured before the Tribulation. Dividing believers into 2 groups is a mistake.
    Daniel 9:24 – ‘Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city’.
    According to Daniel only Israel – not the body of Christ, will go through the final 7 weeks (The Tribulation). Mixing what has been written to Israel with what Paul wrote to the body of Christ is in my opinion a mistake.

    My conclusion is that all true believers will be raptured at the same time and Israel will go into the tribulation for the final 7 weeks of Daniel’s prophecy.

    • Reply Gary Ritter

      Frisco,
      I appreciate your taking this on as it’s a challenging subject. Where I disagree with you is that we have to see how God has dealt with those who would be considered “His”, yet didn’t (and don’t) walk according to His commandments in obedience. I just don’t know that we can separate this treatment of His children from the OT to the NT, regardless of being Jewish or Gentile.

      I absolutely agree that the focus of the Tribulation is the Jews in Israel so as to bring them to saving faith in Messiah Jesus. However, the plagues rain down upon the whole planet and this unbelieving world is subject to them. In fact, I think that Israel is largely spared in the first 3 1/2 years. It’s a place of safety to which Jews worldwide go so that God can deal with them basically as an entire people. Thus the rest of the world gets clobbered. Then, once the midpoint hits, everything worldwide is fair game.

      God doesn’t change how He requires someone’s heart to be toward Him, whether OT or NT, Jew or Gentile. It’s on this basis that I start when I examine the Scriptures and see echoes of the future in the past OT writings. I’m not bashful in saying that I could be completely wrong about my deductions and that somehow God will deal with carnal Christians another way rather than hold them back from the Rapture. The things is, most of these don’t care about the Rapture; otherwise they’d clean up their act. I see their being left behind as a wake-up call and the refining of their faith as God requires: to the Jew first and then to the Gentile – both must be purified in their faith, fear, and reverence toward God.

  5. Reply Bambi Riley

    Hi Gary,
    I must say I am troubled by the partial rapture question. I guess it all comes down to if you are sealed by the Holy Spirit when you believe that Jesus was the sinless Son of God who came in human flesh and died for your sins and was raised after 3 days and conquered death for those who believe in Him. If the rapture had occured when I was a babe in Christ then according to your theory I would have been left behind. I agree we should warn professing Christians to follow in the Lord’s truth of how we should live as followers of Jesus. Lets be real though, we all have sinned even after professing Christ and are convicted by the Holy Spirit and go on. I think the rewards in heaven have to do with that not if you have sinned recently when the Rapture occurs. I trust in my Father to judge rightly for everyone cause he knows their hearts and He also knows the sin that so easily besets us. I do believe that there is no “partial rapture” and those who are His and are sealed by the Holy Spirit go. May those who had professed “Lord,Lord didn’t we do this that and the other come to saving Grace by Faith in Christ.

    • Reply Gary Ritter

      Bambi,
      Thank you you for your thoughts. It is a troubling idea – whether correct or not remains to be seen. I do want to make sure that you and others understand that I don’t discuss this lightly. Also, I try to make a clear distinction between those who sin inadvertently as we all do, versus those who repeatedly disobey the warning of the Spirit acting carnally despite being saved. That’s the REALLY troubling aspect of this, and you and I both know there are plenty of Christians out there in this situation. Lack of fear of God? Self-will despite the grace and mercy of their Savior? I don’t know – but they are not heeding the warnings that are replete in Scripture as to what God expects of His people.

  6. Reply Mark M

    A comment on the partial rapture of the church.
    Hi Gary. Your message on a possible partial rapture was interesting. I had heard a similar teaching years ago but it wasn’t presented with as much thought behind it. I couldn’t then and still can’t come to grips with this idea though. The simplicity of the Gospel precludes any additional requirements from being imposed on a man who accepts the gift of salvation. The thief on the cross was certainly evil and not walking in fellowship with the Lord. The rapture promises that the dead in Christ (all) will be raised and given new uncorrupted bodies. Likewise, we who are in Christ and alive (all) will be changed in an instant. There is no mention of any sorting for additional punishment (purgatory also comes to mind). All who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved. Plus nothing. At the rapture, Jesus promises to meet us, His bride, in the air. Not to leave some behind to experience incredible wrath. How would those words comfort us? Our walk with Christ will be judged at the Bema Seat, not punished in the tribulation.
    I love your weekly messages, just wanted to put my thoughts out there.
    Mark

    • Reply Gary Ritter

      Thank you, Mark, I appreciate it. If nothing else, my hope is that my messages make people think. For too long, folks have taken an easy route and not applied themselves because, after all, that was what the pastor was supposed to do through his weekly sermon prep. These days in which we live are too treacherous for that. Perhaps I’m wrong and that’s all to the good. If, however, someone saved but in a carnal relationship with the Lord in some manner takes heed because of this warning, gets concerned, and actually gets his act together to walk obediently with Christ, I imagine the reward for that would far outweigh my being incorrect and causing him to worry.

  7. Reply Rick H

    Backs the up 4% in the Barna study doesn’t it…God knows when he’s just hearing “lip service”…Jesus wants a personal relationship and wants that person to change to be more like him not use the gift of salvation as a way to “backdoor my way into heaven”…We need to fear and show our Heavenly Father reverence…after all it’s pretty sad that demons fear Christ more than we do.

    • Reply Gary Ritter

      This isn’t a popular idea by any means, but I can’t see how God doesn’t require a certain level of heart-originated obedience from us as Christians. How is it that God doesn’t change from past to present, requires that from His people Israel, yet not also require it of those who come to saving faith in Christ? He is going to be consistent and there isn’t one without the other.

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