This was a response I received to my Rapture Hoax videos. The funny thing about this response is, when I sent the video out to be viewed I was very specific as to what type of rebuttals I was interested in. I stated,”If you have a rebuttal make sure it’s with proof given by the scripture in context. Opinions are common, but God’s word makes the distinction.”) However, as it is the typical behavior of “christians” who never have an answer for what THEY BELIEVE:This viewer sent me a response, not based on her own studies but rather from the false teachings of one Jack Van Impe.
The other thing that annoys me is the fact that “christians” always want to do things in secret. This was not a private posting. This posting was in a public forum, therefore I prefer people to respond to me openly as I have nothing to hide and am not ashamed of the gospel. I actually have an answer for what I believe and why I believe it. Here’s the thing, If what you believe is the truth, why would you hide that truth from the eyes of others? Why wouldn’t you want that truth on display for the world to see? Let me give you the 411. The only reason for hiding is sin. Look in the garden and realize. It is sin for a person who says they believe and are in a relationship with someone but bases everything they do or knows about that person on what others say and believe. (this is lying) The only way to be in a relationship with someone is for it to be personal (one on one).
For the Record:
I gave the definition of Rapture and proved in my videos that it wasn’t in scripture nor alluded to. The origin of the word rapture is pagan and this is where the concept was derived. I also proved the character of YHWH and showed what his nature and habits are pertaining to his children. I gave example after example of the Father caring for his children in the midst of tribulation and persecution, and also shared scripture on what the Bible declares about the position of the righteous and the wicked. The wicked is cut off from the earth and the righteous are protected in the earth.
Rapture Definition:
1. a feeling of intense pleasure or joy
2. (The Rapture) (according to some millenarian teaching) the transporting of believers to heaven at the second coming of Christ.
Origin of the word rapture is of the late 16th century
Although rapture originally referred to being raised or lifted out of oneself by divine power, nowadays it is used in much the same sense as ecstasy to describe an elevated sensation of bliss (she listened in speechless rapture to her favorite soprano).
Understanding the definition in itself is clarity for those who take the time to study.
Where in the scripture is it ever described that someone was ever physically, forcefully taken out of their body? Is this one of the attributes of my Fathers’ character? NOT!
Rapturists say the rapture is derived from the Greek word harpozo which means:
1. to seize, carry off by force
2. to seize on, claim for one’s self eagerly
3. to snatch out or away
I also clearly dealt with examples of this in the video and broke down the favorite scriptures which rapturists misuse in an attempt to support this man-made doctrine.
Due to the length of this response, I will answer segments of the email over a period of time, until I’ve completed the entire message.
Here was her email response to me:
Date: February 6, 2009
At the risk of losing your respect…this is how I believe!
Love to you all,
Val
A MESSAGE OF HOPE FROM DR. JACK VAN IMPE
Impish says:
Chapter four of Revelation begins the prophetical future. Remember chapter 1, verse 19: Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter. That text presented three tenses and informed us that the Book of Revelation is written in chronological order: the past-chapter 1; the present-chapters 2 and 3 (the history of the seven churches to the present time); and the future-chapters 4 through 22.
Kristal’s response to what Impish said/
The Bible says:
This guy isn’t but a few seconds out of the gate and his error is clear. He declares that Chapter one of Revelation verse 19 presents three tenses, yet vs 19 is clearly understood by verse one of the first chapter. He uses a play on words to confuse his readers.
Revelation 1:1-Revelation 1:2
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
John was commanded to write what was shown him in the vision. Then there are two tenses which follow that command. 1. the things which are — present tense (which describes what began in Johns day and still is today in our midst: The words of Yahushua are perpetual and are directed to us as well.) 2. and the things which shall be hereafter-future tense (what was to happen after what was present in Johns day and still is today in our midst including that which John will not get to see but we will).
Van Impish then goes on to say:
That text presented three tenses and informed us that the Book of Revelation is written in chronological order: the past-chapter 1; the present-chapters 2 and 3 (the history of the seven churches to the present time); and the future-chapters 4 through 22.
In what scripture was it implied that the book of Revelation was written in chronological order? He doesn’t say does he? The Bible just says what is written not the order it’s written in per se.
John starts out writing the vision of the present (things which are) and then he begins to write what he sees happening in chapter 4 yet, Impish makes reference to chapter 4 being where the discussion of future happenings start.
Don’t ever discount inconsistencies when it comes to the Word of YHWH. It’s either true or false no in between.
Impish says:
Now let’s take a peek at what’s coming.
Verse 1: After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, come up hither; and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
Kristal’s response to what Impish said/
The Bible says:
Take note of what is happening here in Revelation 4:1
1. a door was opened in heaven
2. a voice like a trumpet starts talking with him (John)
3. the voice instructs him to come so he can see what is to come
ARE YOU CLEAR ON THIS? SEE WHAT IMPISH SAYS NEXT!
Impish says:
John states, “After this.” After what? After the completion of the history of the seven churches. After this, John sees a door opened in heaven and hears a trumpet-like voice loudly and victoriously crying, Come up hither. This is the Rapture of the church of Jesus Christ. When it occurs, multitudes from all kindreds, people, tongues, and denominations will meet the Saviour face to face.
Kristal’s response to what Impish said/
The Bible says:
Now the real stretching of scripture begins:
Impish said and I quote: After this, John sees a door opened in heaven and hears a trumpet-like voice loudly and victoriously crying, Come up hither. This is the Rapture of the church of Jesus Christ.
The scripture doesn’t say this Impish says this. Here is what the scripture says happened:
Revelation 4:1
1. After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven:
2. and the first voice WHICH I HEARD was as it were of a trumpet (LIKE A TRUMPET) talking with me (TALKING WITH JOHN NOT THE BODY OF MESSIAH);
DID YOU HEAR THE LOUDLY AND VICTORIOUSLY CRYING PART? THAT’S CAUSE IT AIN’T IN THERE!
Which said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter. It doesn’t say anything about a Rapture (anyone being forcefully taken out of their bodies) it talks about the discussion and instructions given TO JOHN to come here and see what things must be. Impish definitively states this scripture as being the RAPTURE?
When the son of YHWH returns here is what will take place:
1. The son will descend from heaven with a shout
2. with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of YHWH
3. the Dead in Christ shall rise first
4. Those who are still alive catch up with those who were raised together in the clouds
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
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:
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.
No mention in Revelations 4:1 of the Son descending, but rather one whose voice sound like a trumpet talking with John and calling John to where he was. Hmmmm….I guess Impish and his diehard follower missed that one.
Impish says:
What is the Rapture? It is the literal, visible bodily coming of Jesus Christ to call out of this world, literally and bodily, every born-again believer-first the dead, then the living. First we see that Jesus is coming bodily. Remember the cultists of bygone days who said that the Lord was about to return? Clothed in white sheets, they sat on the mountainsides in anxious anticipation-but Christ didn’t come. Date-setting is wrong! But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only (Matthew 24:36).
Kristal’s response to what Impish said/
The Bible says:
I have given you the definition of the Rapture. Now it is up to you to study the things I presented to you in the videos. The first definition of rapture discusses the meaning of the word. The second definition of rapture as you have seen is only according to Millenarians not the consensus of those who put the words in the dictionary.
2.(according to some millenarian teaching) the transporting of believers to heaven at the second coming of Christ.
Impish uses the widely accepted Orthodox definition and ignores the reality of the origin of the word. Just because it sounds good, doesn’t make it scripturally accurate. He further attempts to sure his position by talking about the Cultists who have for decades claimed to know the return. How does that differ from his inferring things to the scripture that are clearly not there? He screams that date setting is wrong! This is true. So is adding to the scripture or taking away from it…LOL
Impish says:
Because of their embarrassment, these cultists immediately stated, “Oh, we were right; Christ did come, but it was an invisible manifestation. He came as a spirit.” Not so! When Jesus Christ returns, both in the Rapture (chapter 4) and at His Revelation (chapter 19), He will come literally, visibly and bodily. Proof? Acts 1:9-11: And when [Jesus] had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. The Lord will return exactly as He left.
Kristal’s response to what Impish said/
The Bible says:
Now, he talks about the cultists being embarrassed because what they said didn’t come to pass. Yet, they defend it in their pride and say they are right regardless of the facts.
I’d like to know how their position differs from that of Jack and his stand on a “rapture” which he can only try to prove by manipulation of the scriptures. Any Christian I have confronted on this issue has doggedly defended it but not because they could find the proof in scripture but because one of their favorite ministers taught it and misused scripture to try to support it, and they accepted it. Because he uses a little truth sprinkled in with his lies it’s palatable for those who don’t have relationship with the Father. They say to themselves, “That sounds right”.
Jack also clearly validates one of the points I made in my video about Rapturists believing that there is going to be multiple returns of the Messiah.
I quote: “When Jesus Christ returns, both in the Rapture (chapter 4) and at His Revelation (chapter 19), He will come literally, visibly and bodily.”
Where is the scripture to support more than a second coming? He doesn’t give it does he? That’s because it’s not there. So, he diverts the conversation to keep the focus off of the lie he told. He starts discussing how the Son of Man ascended…. WOW! Still no proof of more than a second coming but he and his believers are holding to their story.
Impish says:
How did He leave? Let’s see. In Luke 24:39, Christ appeared to His disciples and said, Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. Then, in verses 41 and 42, He went on to say Have ye here any meat [food]? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them. The Lord Jesus Christ possessed a new resurrected body-a body that could be seen, a body that could be touched, and a body that could partake of food-a literal body!
Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above [or over] five hundred brethren at once..after that, he was seen of James…and last of all he was seen of me [Paul] also (1 Corinthians 15:3-8). No doubt about it, when He returns and the shout, Come up hither, is given, we will see Him. At this glorious moment, we, too, shall receive new bodies. The Bible teaches in 1 Thessalonians 4:16 and 17: 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: 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.
Kristal’s response to what Impish said/
The Bible says:
He is still diverting the subject from the rapture he so adamantly defends to the ascension. He even goes further to talk about the fact that the body of Messiah was a real body…blah, blah, blah
Then he begins his inference tactics again:
I quote: “No doubt about it, when He returns and the shout, Come up hither, is given, we will see Him.”
Come up hither was not used for the church at the second coming of the Son. Come up hither was used when the voice like trumpets was speaking to John and in Revelation 11:12 when the two prophets who will be dead in the streets for three and a half days have the Spirit of life from YHWH enter their bodies and they stand to their feet.
Revelation 11:7–Revelation 11:13
And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.
Note to self:
1. 1 Thessalonians 4:16 and 17 discussing no voice saying come up hither but this is the verse he used to support his comment.
MORE TO COME…
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