Left Behind

The left behind teaching is one of the cornerstones of the rapture doctrine. In this study we will examine it in great detail. It is taken from Matthew 24 and there is a lot more information there than is commonly taught. If you have been taught the rapture you have likely never studied these verses to the depths this study will take you. We should test any doctrine we follow to be sure it is in harmony with God's word. We ask that you view this study with an open mind and then you can decide for yourself. Matthew 24 (37-46) 37) But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38) For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark Here we are told that before Christ returns it will be just like in the days of Noe. Then we are given a general description of what was happening at that time. There is a lot more to this than what is actually said. To understand this completely we must go to Genesis and find out exactly what was happening at that time. Genesis 6 1) And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, 2) That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. Here is the marrying that was spoken of by Jesus in the book of Matthew. I want you to notice how these sons of God are contrasted with men. In this verse the Hebrew word that is translated God is Elohim. This title is always used of God in relation to creation or as the creator. You can contrast this with God in verse 5 in which it is Jehovah. Jehovah is always used of God in terms of His covenant relationship with man. This will be relevant after we read the next two verses. 3) And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. 4) There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown. We see here that when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men giants were born in the earth. Now this is not normal. So I think it is fair to say these sons of God are something other than the men that daughters were born unto. The title sons of God or son of God (Elohim) is only used of Adam (Luke 3:38) who God created directly and of angels (Job 1:6, 2:1, 38:7) that is up until the time of Christ through which we become a new creature and all things are of God (2 Cor.5:17). The word giants in the Hebrew dictionary is nephilim. It means fallen ones. From these two facts we can determine that these giants were the offspring of fallen angels. I know if you have never been taught this before it may seem outrageous but hang on and we will further document this statement. The book of Jude will tell us about these fallen angels and their sin with the daughters of men. Jude 6) And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. 7) Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. These two verses tell us about the angels leaving their habitation and compares their sin to that of Sodom and Gomorrah. Angels are not flesh they are spirits. This is the reason giants were born in the earth. An unnatural act caused an unnatural result. You can also read about the angels sin in 2 Peter chapter 2 (1-5). To complete this portion of the study and lead you to my point we need to go to 1 Corinthians 11. In the 5th verse of this chapter it states that a woman should not pray or prophecy with her head uncovered. We will find the reason for this in verse 10. 10) For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels. The power the woman should have over her head is Christ. Why, because of the angels. Just like in the days of Noe these angels along with their ring leader Satan will leave their habitation and come to the earth (Rev. 12:9). The angels will be marrying the daughters of men just as they did at that time. God sent the flood in Noah's time to destroy these unnatural nephilim. Noah was spared because he was upright and his generations were perfect (Gen. 6:9). Noah's family had not mixed with the fallen angels or the giants. This mixing with the angels and their offspring was all plotted by Satan himself to corrupt the seed line in which Christ was to come. If he could have accomplished this God's word would have failed. Now why is this important? This will help us to determine at what time the one is taken and the one is left in Matt 24:40. The angels do not appear on the earth until the sixth seal. Revelation 6:12-13 12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; 13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. Angels are often referred to as stars in the bible, here are just a few examples: (Rev. 1:20, Rev. 9:1, Dan. 8:10). At the time the one is taken there are angels on this earth taking the daughters of men as wives. As we just read the angels do not appear until the sixth seal and by this time we are in the tribulation period. There is only one seal that has not been opened and when it is opened Christ returns to reign on the earth. If the one that is taken is taken in the rapture then it certainly is not a pre-tribulation rapture. It just doesn't fit. Now let's return to the book of Matthew and see if we can determine who is left behind. Matthew 24 39) And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. I just want you to ask yourself one simple question about this verse. In the time of Noe who was taken in the flood? Was it Noe who was upright and just? Those who are taken are taken in a flood of lies and deception. This will be the flood of the end times and we can read about it in Daniel chapter 11. 20) Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom: but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle. 21) And in his estate shall stand up a vile person, to whom they shall not give the honour of the kingdom: but he shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries. 22) And with the arms of a flood shall they be overflown from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant. 23) And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people. Notice this vile person shall become strong with a small people. This is the little horn of Daniel 8:9, which is the antichrist. Satan doesn't come in like most people think but rather he comes in peacefully and obtains the kingdom through flattery and deception. Words are his weapons along with a few miracles he has the power to perform. He is very convincing and notice "with the arms of a flood shall they be overthrown" Just like in the days of Noe. In Revelation 12:15 this flood is mentioned again. 15) And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. Here again we see this flood of lies and deception and it comes right out of his mouth. It's amazing how many e-mails we have received were people say there is no way a Christian could be deceived by Satan. If he can obtain rule over the whole world through his deception and flattery it wouldn't be too smart to underestimate his ability to deceive you or me. We need to take this seriously and prepare ourselves. 44) Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Many will think he's already here because they have been taught he comes first. The antichrist comes first and he will be playing the role of Christ. 45) Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? 46) Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Notice the faithful and wise servant is found here on earth taking care of his household. He wasn't taken away in a rapture. We need to prepare ourselves and our family with the spiritual meat of the word. We have to separate the false doctrines like the rapture from the word of God. If we do this we will be blessed when the Lord comes. This article courtesy of The Rapture Rebuttal www.rapturerebuttal.com