TLDR;
Alright, so this whole talk is about the rapture of the saints, yeah? It covers the history of the teaching, different views, and a detailed breakdown of the rapture according to the New Testament. Here are the key takeaways:
- The understanding of the rapture has evolved over time, with more emphasis in recent centuries.
- The rapture is the consummating step of God's full salvation in life, involving the redemption and transfiguration of our bodies.
- There are different sections or stages of the rapture: the firstfruits (overcomers), the harvest (majority of saints), and the gleaning (remainder of saints).
History of the Rapture Teaching [0:06]
So, the speaker is saying that interest in the second coming of Christ and the rapture of the saints really picked up in the 19th century. Before that, not many Christians were paying attention to it. Some figures like Zinzendorf mentioned it, but it wasn't a big focus until the Brethren movement in England around 1828. Even then, the Brethren didn't focus too much on the rapture itself. Later on, Bible teachers like J.B. Pember wrote extensively on prophecy, but they didn't really connect it with the life matter. Folks like Robert Govett and his student G.H. Pember added to the understanding, and then there was J.N. Darby who compiled their teachings. The speaker also mentions a sister in China, Amy Barber, who really emphasized the life aspect in relation to the second coming and rapture.
Key to Understanding Revelation [9:14]
The speaker is telling us that to understand the rapture, you gotta know the Book of Revelation inside and out – the Seven Seals, the Seven Trumpets, and the Seven Bowls. He's giving a key to unlock the understanding of Revelation, but it'll take time and effort to really get it. He's planning to test the listeners on the second coming, the rapture, and the New Jerusalem, so they better be prepared.
Rapture Defined: Being Crazy for God [11:59]
The speaker is defining rapture as being "crazy" for God. He clarifies that this "craziness" is about being ecstatic and excited in your faith. He contrasts this with the soberness of sinners and worldly people who are focused on money and earthly things. According to him, true Christians should be crazy in their devotion to God.
Consummation of God's Salvation [16:16]
The speaker is explaining that the rapture is the final step in God's salvation, which has two parts: redemption and life. Redemption is the objective part, where we are justified through Christ's death. Salvation in life is the subjective part, where God regenerates and transforms us. The final step, the consummation, is the transfiguration of our being.
Redemption of Our Body [18:38]
The speaker is talking about the redemption of our body. He points out that even though we are redeemed, our bodies still experience weakness, sickness, and death. The redemption of our body involves changing its nature and condition to be stronger, more alive, and less susceptible to these things. This happens through the saturation of the Divine element, God's life, within us.
Saturation of the Divine Element [22:13]
The speaker is using the analogy of a cotton ball being saturated with ink to explain how the Divine element permeates our being. He says that the Holy Spirit is like the "City Ink" that seals us and continuously saturates us with God's life. This saturation leads to the redemption of our body, changing it from a "white ball" to a "red ball," signifying the Divine nature within.
Transfiguration and Glorification [33:36]
The speaker is explaining that the redemption of our body leads to its transfiguration, changing its nature and appearance. Our bodies are currently humiliated by sin, weakness, sickness, and death, but transfiguration will change that. This also brings us into full sonship with God, where our divine nature is manifested. Ultimately, this leads to glorification, where our entire being is filled with the splendor of the Divine Life. He emphasizes that Christ will glorify himself in us, coming from both the heavens and from within our spirit to appear in our body.
The Coming (Parousia) of Christ [43:42]
The speaker is talking about the coming of Christ, using the Greek word "parousia," which means presence. He explains that this presence will begin in the heavens and travel to the air, lingering there before coming to the earth. This parousia will involve the rapture, redemption, transfiguration, and glorification of the saints.
Timing of the Rapture [46:36]
The speaker is discussing when the rapture will happen. He says it will begin before the Great Tribulation, during the last week of Daniel's 70 weeks. He also mentions signs of the last week, like the restoration of Israel and Jerusalem. He sees current events, like the democracy movements around Russia, as fulfilling biblical prophecy.
The Big Image in Daniel [52:47]
The speaker is referencing the big image in Daniel chapter 2, with its different metals representing different kingdoms. He interprets the iron as dictatorship and the clay as the people. He sees the current situation in Eastern Europe and Russia, where there's a mix of strength and weakness, as a fulfillment of this prophecy.
Old Testament Type of the Rapture [57:12]
The speaker is drawing a parallel between the Old Testament harvest and the rapture. In the Old Testament, there's the firstfruit, the harvest, and the gleaning. Similarly, in the rapture, there are three sections: the firstfruit (overcomers), the harvest (majority of saints), and the gleaning (remainder of saints).
The Firstfruit: The Overcomers [1:01:06]
The speaker is diving into the first section of the rapture: the firstfruit, which are the overcomers. He identifies five kinds of firstfruits based on New Testament descriptions: the manchild, those in Revelation 14, the overcomers in Philadelphia, the watchful and beseeching saints, and the watchful ones of the two. These overcomers will be raptured before the Great Tribulation to be with God in the third heaven.
Five Categories of Overcomers [1:01:57]
The speaker is elaborating on the five categories of overcomers:
- The Manchild: Raptured before the Great Tribulation.
- Those in Revelation 14: Follow the Lamb and are already in heaven.
- Overcomers in Philadelphia: Keep God's word and don't deny Christ's name, raptured before the hour of trial.
- Watchful and Beseeching Saints: Praying all the time, raptured before the Great Tribulation.
- Watchful One of the Two: Some will be taken, some will be left before the Great Tribulation.
The Harvest and the Gleaning [1:15:11]
The speaker is moving on to the second section: the harvest, which includes the resurrected saints and the remaining living ones. This will happen at the end of the age, during the Lord's parousia and the tribulation. They will be raptured to the Lord's barn in the air. The third section is the gleaning, the remainder of the saints who will be persecuted by the Antichrist after the majority are raptured.
Two Witnesses and Armageddon [1:19:21]
The speaker is talking about the two witnesses, Moses and Elijah, who will prophesy for 1260 days and be killed at the end. They will be resurrected and raptured on the same day that the Antichrist is thrown into the lake of fire. This will happen after the battle of Armageddon, where Christ defeats the Antichrist. On that day, the whole house of Israel will repent.
Chart of the Rapture [1:21:50]
The speaker is presenting a chart to illustrate the timing of the rapture. He shows the church age leading up to the seven weeks, with the restoration of Israel as a sign. He divides the last week into two parts, with the Antichrist making and breaking an agreement with Israel. He marks the rapture of the manchild and other overcomers before the tribulation, followed by the rapture of the majority of saints to the air. He also shows the judgment seat, the wedding, the two witnesses, and the battle of Armageddon, leading to the millennium.
Preparing for the Rapture [1:31:25]
The speaker is urging listeners to prepare themselves by watching and praying, growing and maturing in their personal lives. He says that those who are matured will be counted as the firstfruit and raptured away from the Great Tribulation. Those who are left will go through the tribulation to get matured.
Additional Points and Questions [1:33:38]
The speaker is clarifying some points and answering questions. He emphasizes that the judgment seat and the wedding may happen very close together. He also says that the gleaning may not need to pass through the judgment seat. He admits that he can't fully classify the five categories of overcomers, but the principles are sufficient to teach us. He also discusses the significance of the 144,000 and the ten virgins.