Rapture or Resurrection? - Removing The Fog of Religion

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Rapture or Resurrection?

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Rapture or Resurrection?

Send comments to: dan@servantsofyahshua.com

Q:  I read many of your studies about the resurrection but I did not see or understand the third resurrection. Is this for the Jewish people, if that is what you were implying that there is a third. If not I am sure you will straighten me out I hope.  Your brother in Yahshua.                 Elliott O.

A: To unscramble past teaching about the Resurrection – not to be mistake for the Rapture doctrine we need to cover some ground and let the Bible, the Words of our Lord speak to us. So, hang with me as we rehash this important subject.

The “resurrection” is the act of being raised from the dead.  Lazarus, a friend of our Savior YaHshua, had died and was dead for three days when YaHshua resurrected him from the grave, back to life.  We need to look at some verses concerning THE RESURRECTION.  But first, let’s understand this – when a doctor revives someone that has died on the operating table, he has resurrected that individual back to life, he has not turned this individual into a spirit being, he has not given the person revived eternal life.  YaHshua resurrected Lazarus, back to life, still in the flesh – Lazarus is not alive today, but he was resurrected back to life.  So, we are not talking about resurrections as being equal, they are not.  The “resurrection” of the “elect” of the “children of God” is to “immortal life” and into a new, spirit body.

(Isa 26:19)  But your dead will live; their bodies will rise. You who dwell in the dust, wake up and shout for joy. Your dew is like the dew of the morning; the earth will give birth to her dead.

(Dan 12:2)  Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.

(John 5:21)  For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it.

(Luke 20:34-36) And YaHshua answering said to them, T
he children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.


But those who are considered worthy of taking part in that age and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God's children, since they are children of the resurrection.

(Rev 20:4)  I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for YaHshua and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

(Rev 20:6)  Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.

(John 5:28-29)  Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out--those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.

Now, we see that it is not a question of “if” but “when”?

Those teaching the Rapture Doctrine of Imminent Return would have you believe the “resurrection” to immortality is to take place just before the “Tribulation”.    Did you know that the word “rapture” does not appears in the Holy Bible.  This is usually a first clue to a false doctrine being taught, it is one of the things “cult” observers look for in identifying a “cult” – this Imminent Return cult has invaded the modern Christian Church, posing as leaders of the truth in prophecy but in fact they are messengers of the Devil.  They have so infested the fabric of the various Christian groups that what they say and teach is accepted by the vast majority as truth.  They mix the lie with the truth of Scripture bending it to say what they want it to say.  Should we be amazed at this?

(2Co 11:13-15)  For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.   And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.


But these preachers are so sincere and seem to be so truthful in what they say, don’t they?  How can they preach what they preach if they are deceivers?  Because, they are “being deceived” themselves, and who do you suppose is deceiving them, that they would then teach a message of deception?

(2Ti 3:13)  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
They are “deceiving and BEING deceived” – “being deceived” themselves.  Where is it they would be getting these non-biblical teaching, leading people away from the real truth?

(1Ti 4:1)  Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
But what do we really see in Scripture when it comes to the timing of this Rapture (Resurrection of the Elect)?

(Mark 13:24-27)  But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.  And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.  And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.

When is the Rapture (Resurrection of the Elect)?  Read it for yourself and see the timing of this event is AFTER the Tribulation, not “after the saints are taken to heaven”.   Those teaching the Rapture of Imminent return are wrong, in error, teaching a deception and offering a false hope.  Our Savior, YaHshua, is Himself telling us the timing of this Resurrection (Rapture) of the Elect and He tells us it is “AFTER that tribulation”.  So, who are we to believe?  His words are to be considered true first and then by comparison every man a liar (Romans 3:4).

So, what is the big deal?  Imagine, you are in the middle of the tribulation and you are still here, what will be your response?  I think it would be similar to that of the “scoffers” that are to come.  Listen, there has always been “scoffers”, always, but we are instructed that in the end days “scoffers” will appear, so these must be something different from centuries of religious scoffers, and we can see they are by what these “scoffers” are saying –

(2Pe 3:3)  Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. KJV


What throws everyone off in this verse is the remark, “…after their own lusts…”, well, of course, no decent believer would think this wording is about them, right?  This teaching of Peter is taught as applying to the “secular” world when in fact it is directed at professing believers or those claiming to be believers – believers following their own lust -- those “lusting” to escape any hardship or trials and tribulations the “rapture” teaching is the answer.  Now what Peter is teaching takes on a whole new meaning?  Who could be these special scoffers that appear in the end days?  It will be those professing believe but denying the power thereof to save even in the Tribulation period so they have to be Raptured out of the way.  When they find themselves still on Earth what will they cry out?  “Where is the promise of his coming”.  From the rest we can see the loss of faith as they look backward seeing nothing seems to have changed.   This will lead to a “falling away” for those having their hearts set on this great escape, they will abandon the faith in great disappointment leaving only those already prepared for the long haul, for those believers knowing we need to prepare spiritually for tough times ahead.

(Luke 17:33)  Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.


This is the problem with those looking to the Rapture of Imminent return to save them.  They are looking forward to the false hope of being caught up (Raptured) to heaven, skipping the “resurrection” of those in the Christ and going straight to Heaven to sit out the Tribulation period – lusting to save their physical lives.  There is an old saying among weight lifters, “No pain, no gain” and this is a truism.

(1Th 3:4)  For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.

(2Ti 2:12)  If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
(2Ti 3:12)  Yea, and all that will live godly in the Christ YaHshua shall suffer persecution.

(Heb 11:25)  Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

(1Pe 2:19)  For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God.

(Rev 2:8-9)  And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;   I know your works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
(Rev 2:10)  Fear none of those things which you shall suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried; and you shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.


Where is the preaching of the Imminent Return, of the Rapture at any moment?  Where is the teaching for the people of ?  Read the message to the other Churches and see if you can find the message of the “any moment Rapture”?

It is not some secret Rapture we are supposed to be looking.  It would be anything but secret and the proponents, like Tim LaHaye know this and have altered their “secret coming” to a time of great disaster as millions upon millions of Christians are Raptured up leaving chaos and confusion behind as empty cars and airplanes crash all around the world.  They are actually calling for this to be the next great event to happen worldwide.   The “fiction” just keeps on going as these blind teachers attempt to defend the lie they have been teaching.

We need to understand the “resurrection” of the Elect to life eternal and, as we have already seen, this is to happen AFTER the “tribulation days”.  As believers were are concerned with two “resurrections” – as we have seen, there is a resurrection back to life in the flesh, but the resurrection we want is the “rebirth” resurrection from the dead, and from the flesh into SPIRIT.  Only then can we be with our Lord, YaHshua, forever and if with Him then we will also be with the Father.   Two resurrections and if you have to call them “raptures” so be it but the biblical teaching concerns a “resurrection” of both dead and living while the “rapture” suggests a catching up of the living only, to escape the “tribulation”.  See how it gets twisted?

Resurrection #1 When YaHshua returns -- only true believers and those having not denied His Name are raised from the dead, the walking dead as well as the literally dead.  The quickening occurs changing the body of flesh to a new body, a spirit body and for those having already decayed away in the grave (asleep in the Lord) they too receive a new Spirit body, being raised first then followed by those still breathing in the Lord.

(John 11:23-26) YaHshua said to her, Your brother shall rise again.   Martha said to him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.  YaHshua said to her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:  And whosoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Believe you this?


Martha understood, as most did, about the "Last Day Resurrection", but YaHshua gave her another understanding, another revelation, concerning the "resurrection" we are waiting for.  Martha, said, 'Oh, sure, we are going to be raised in the Last Day, but my poor brother is dead now..." (I paraphrase) -- Then YaHshua said that even though, to us, to Martha, her brother is dead, ‘He will live again because he believes in ME, YaHshua, because I am the RESURRECTION -- it is by My actions (YaHshua speaking, if I may be so bold), no one is going to live unless I raise Him.  Then YaHshua demonstrates that He has the power over life and death by calling Lazarus from the grave, even though he had begun to decay.  Now, that is power.

We are all dead now, we just do not know it, or don't think about it, as our flesh is wasting away, degenerating our eventual outcome is decay, unless we are saved.  We have His life giving spirit living in us, a small piece of Him and the Father, our guarantee of life eternal.

(2Co 1:22)  Who has also sealed us, and given the earnest (deposit) of the Spirit in our hearts.


Resurrection #2 -- Israel is raised from the dead.  The whole House of Israel is raised in the flesh to live again, to die again, to accept or reject YaHshua in a face to face act of repentance and to live out the life they gave up when they originally rejected YaHWeH and then YaHshua.  We read of this flesh and blood, resurrection in Zech 12:10-14, we read of all Israel, even King David meeting YaHshua and repenting of their past actions --  notice the detail of this event, and event the world ignores, or is blind to.  Read Ezekiel 37:1-4, carefully, notice this verse -- in the context of all the others --


(Eze 37:11)  Then He said to me, Son of man, these bones
are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts.  


The verses surrounding this quote have been talked about, quoted, discussed and theory upon theory put forward but most, if not all, but seem to ignore this telling verse.  Others get stuck on the verse that calls this a resurrection of an ARMY -- and as usual begin to apply this to our understanding of what an ARMY is, as in "military" use.  The Hebrew is merely saying this is a vast number of people standing in what appears to be rank and file, the Whole House of Israel.  This is the Resurrection to follow the establishment, or restoration, of Jerusalem as the capital of the world and Israel restored, not by men but by YaHshua – personally, Himself – He is going to restore Israel, the "whole house of Israel" from the beginning of time.

This resurrection of all Israel is to happen at some point after YaHshua’s return to establish the Kingdom of God on Earth, establishing YaHushalom (Jerusalem – YaH’s Peace) as the capitol of that Kingdom, and sits as King of Kings.  This will be Resurrection #2, where all the flesh of Israel is raised to face the King of all Kings.

It is Resurrection #1 we, as followers and servants of YaHshua want to be in, that is our desire, our goal, but there is another to be concerned about.  This third resurrection is called the second resurrection by most teachers because they do not recognize the resurrect of Israel back to life in the flesh – a redo if you like, or, second chance.  But for the Spirit and the Flesh there is one more, final resurrection to “judgment”.  True it is called the Second death and those in this resurrection to judgment are also brought back in the flesh.  

Resurrection #3 -- This is the final resurrection of the flesh, of every being that has ever lived that has not been resurrected yet -- some to glory and others to hell fire, the place where Satan is tossed and the Beast and false prophet were tossed.  It is an all-consuming fire, burning the wicked up into ashes to live no more.  Wickedness cleansed from the earth, by fire.  This event is not to happen until after the 1,000 year rule.  Those of us who find our way into the First Resurrection will not have to fear this Third Resurrection of the dead.  The 3rd Resurrection is still a resurrection to either life or death, the possibility is still there to die forever or to live forever -- this is called the "second death" following the time of Judgment and from this "second death" there is no return – it has been mistakenly called the "second resurrection", but the spripture is clear, it is the "second death" following the Judgment.

(Rev 2:11)  He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches; He that overcomes shall not be hurt of the second death.

(Rev 20:6)  Blessed and holy is he that has part in the first resurrection: on such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of the Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.

(Rev 20:14)  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

(Rev 21:8)  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.


You will notice, it is not called the "second life" but "second death" -- death is death -- ask yourself, What happens to flesh when it is burned up, say, in a lake of fire?.  Those in the First Resurrection will not have to fear the second death.  To die twice, get it?  Raised back to life, in the flesh, only to die again, only this time there will be no return, only eternal death.   Why raised back only to die again?  Not everyone will suffer the "second death", only those who refuse to change when given the opportunity, those rejecting YaHshua as Savior.  For you and me it is hard to imagine anyone doing this but then who could have ever imagined a Hitler or a Stalin, not to mention the evil men behind them and the evil they perpetuated upon mankind, and of those who still, secretly, worship these evil men?  Not to mention the evil men plot against peace and seek to annihilate whole races of people, Israel being a prime target?

This last resurrection gives those who have never met YaHshua the chance to meet Him and to accept or reject the one and only path to life eternal.  There will be some, people being people, that will try to lie and say whatever is necessary in an effort to save themselves, but we are told that YaHshua and our Heavenly Father knows the heart and mind of every person, but even in His (Their, Father and Son) mercy everyone is given a chance to plead their case, to accept or reject YaHshua as their Savior, to truly call on HIm.

(Psa 79:6)  Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge you, on the kingdoms t(Rom 10:12)  For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,

(Rom 10:13-14)  for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?


This is a turth and all that have lived, from the foundations of the World, shall have this opportunity to know and see and call on Him as their personal Savior -- some, will not, however and like Satan hope for a different type of escape, even after being brought back to life to make this choice.

We do not need to get all carried away with counting all of the resurrections.  I have seen some do this and then claim some revelation that there is 5 or even 6 resurrections as they count the resurrection of Lazarus as one and Elijah raising the little boy to life as another, and then the graves in Jerusalem opening up and many of the saints coming back to life and then there is the little girl YaHshua brought back and then another that Peter, and I believe Paul too -- Forget about all of that, those are not connected to the three resurrections that should be of concern to the Ecclesia (called out ones - Church) -- that would be us -- in the body of the Living Christ and Savior, YaHshua. Oh, and if we count the resurrection of YaHshua -- how many does that make?  All this proves is that death is not a permanent state, as we mortals see it, if our Creator chooses to revive or resurrect the dead, He can.

Peace, your servant, Dan

Two resurrections to life back into the flesh
#1 Israel is raised back into the flesh - the whole house of Israel -- Ezek 37:7-12
#2 All that have ever lived, from the very foundations of the World -- JOHN 5:29, Rev 20:5; 12 -- verse 7 proves this is After the 1,000 rule of YaHshua on Earth

Two resurrections to eternal life, passing from flesh to Spirit

#1 The Believers rebirth at the return of YaHshua, passing from death and life in the flesh into immortal Spirit -- 1 Cor 15:50-58, Luke 20:36, Mat 24:31, Rev 20:6
#2  The final rebirth from flesh to life -- Rev 20:12-15 -- some to life eternal and the rest to eternal death from which there will be no return.

a. This final resurrection is to both flesh and then eternal Spirit for those found in the Book of Life.  This resurrection is actually a single event accomplishing two things.

1. From flesh, again, to rebirth into Spirit
2. From flesh again, to the second death, never to live again -- this will be to nothingness – perhaps this is the “nothingness” taught by the Eastern religions, such as those of Buddha (I am being sarcastic)?

The contextual timing of this brief resurrection outline is AFTER the signs in the heavens and after the return of our Savior -- After, means "after" not before as so many are teaching today.  If we stay loyal to our Bible and what it says then we can stay truthful to the Word, the words of our Savior, YaHshua and our Heavenly Father.  HalleluYaH, come Lord in your own time for we are patient to wait, Thank you Father.

Email: dan@servantsofyahshua.com
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