Question: The Bible says, “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” (1 Thessalonians 4:17). how do we explain this verse?
Answer: When anticipating the Lord’s return, we should rely on His prophecies. They’re the most accurate. In the part you read, who exactly did you quote? Is it the Lord or is it a man? “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air.” Where are these words from? Did the Lord Jesus speak them? He didn’t. The Lord Jesus never said that, nor has the Holy Spirit ever said it. These words you read are merely quoted. They were said by Paul. Do Paul’s words speak for the Lord Jesus? Do they speak for God? Regarding the great mystery of the Lord’s return, only God knows. If a man dares to explain and blindly define it, that’s a serious problem. Paul was not Christ. He was nothing but a corrupt man. So his words are filled with man’s imagination and impurity. His words are not truth nor the basis of rapture. We should base it on God’s words in the Bible. This accords with truth. When it comes to being raptured up, you didn’t use the Lord’s word as basis, but instead, you used man’s word, Paul’s word as the basis. This is wrong. Because only the word of Christ is truth and authority. The Lord Jesus is Christ and king of the kingdom of heaven. Since it is so, why don’t you seek the truth in the words of Lord Jesus? Why accept man’s word as truth? Is that the Lord’s will? By following this way, it’s easy to follow man. When it comes to the rapture, we haven’t been listening to the Lord but listening to man. That could be really dangerous. In the beginning, God created man with the dust on earth, allowed us to perform our duties and take care of things on earth, and asked us to obey Him, worship and glorify Him. So God’s ordained destination for man is on earth rather than in heaven. God has also told us clearly that His kingdom will be established here on the earth. And He will dwell with man here on earth and make this world His kingdom where Christ reigns. Therefore, God’s kingdom will finally be realized on earth, not in heaven. Man wants to be brought up to heaven, but this is a product of imagination and excessive desire. It goes against the truth and doesn’t accord with the work of God. And as for the rapture to the kingdom of heaven, we should find basis in God’s word. This is the most accurate way, compatible with God’s will.
Source: Daily Devotionals
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