When does Christ leave Heaven? A Rapture issue.

Posted : 26 Mar, 2009 11:52 AM

Hi Everyone,



Here is another passage that clearly debunks the sperious Pre-Trib. Rapture belief.



Act 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:

21 Whom the heaven must receive.. UNTIL...the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.



This is a very profound statement concerning the return of Jesus. According to this passage Jesus cannot leave Heaven UNTIL it is time to restore ALL things which God has spoken through all of His holy Prophets since the world began.



What were the Prophets speaking of since the world began regard the restitution of all things?



It is Christ's Kingdom. It is then that ALL things are restored unto Christ when He takes His place upon His throne in the Kingdom here on Earth. That has been the main theme throughout the Bible, cover to cover.



Why is this interesting?



Well those who teach a Pre-Trib. Rapture say that Christ comes down and raptures His Church 7 years PRIOR to His 2nd coming and then goes back to heaven with His Church and then returns yet again at His 2nd coming. They also use 1 Thess.4 in order to support their belief. However when one examines 1 Thess.4 13-18, we cannot find anywhere from the passage that supports a return 7 years earlier. Just that He does return. Interestingly enough the passage does say several things that indicate a POST-Trib. return but that is for another post. Let me address the one part that goes hand in hand with Acts 3:19-21.



1Thess 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.



We see in verse 16 that "the Lord himself shall descend from heaven". Yet Acts: 3:21 in essence says that Jesus cannot leave heaven UNTIL it is time to restore His Kingdom. Therefore these verses must be speaking of the same event and necessarily requires a POST-Trib. return of Christ.



Blessings!

In Christ Jesus,

Walter

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