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Israel in the Rapture of the Church

Why leaving them out of the Rapture is anti-Semetic and unscriptural

One of the things that we, the Church, would like to remove from our memories is the fact that many of our loving ancestors were prejudiced against some other races. In fact it is still a problem in the United States, not as bad as it was during most of the last century but it does still exists. The amazing thing is that it is in the hearts of Christians. Since we do know that this is the truth, even though we don't want to remember it, we must realize that the Church is capable and is prejudiced toward some races of people. Today for the most part we realize that Christ died for all men and since that is the case, all men can be a part of the kingdom of God no matter what race they happen to be from.

But there is one thing that most of us do not think about and that is that many of our Church ancestors had a problem with certain races as well and it shows up in some of their teachings that we still believe and teach today. Most denominational teachings are the same teachings that have been around since 1850. This period of time was a time of turmoil for Christianity in America. People begin to take license with scripture and formed many false religious groups. Groups such as the Mormonism, Seventh-day Adventist and Jehovah's witness who believed that they were the woman in Revelation 12 and still believe it today.

Around 1832 at the Powers Court conference near Dublin there was a man by the name of John Darby who begin teaching about the rapture. Because of his teaching many others began to teach that the Church would be in the rapture before the tribulation. They believed that God would do this to spare his people the discomfort of the tribulation period. I suppose that the thing that amazes me is that most theologians were very educated in scripture and knew that most of Israel would not be saved until the tribulation period. By believing that the Church would be in the rapture and the Jews left behind to face the tribulation they revealed their complete disregard for scripture. When they did this, they cut Israel out of the Church, the Resurrection and the Rapture completely in their teachings. It would be easy for them to do this since at that time many people were full of prejudice toward the Jews. John Darby himself may have not been prejudiced but he came to America and preached here until he got a fire started on this teaching. Christians in America were full of prejudice during that time. Many didn't believe that Indians or African-Americans had souls. If they happened to be a Christian that believed that these races could be saved, they still treated them as though they were under some sort of curse or something. Curses like the curse of Ham on Cana. They also began to teach that Israel would be put in a box and left there during the last 3 and a half years. This would mean that they would not be able to do anything for Jesus until he finally comes at the end, this box is a box canyon called Petra. The thought is that Israel rejected Jesus so they have it coming, don't they? Sad, huh?

Since then many denominational Churches such as Baptist, Methodist and Assembly of God churches and a very large majority have continued to teach this man's teachings not realizing the anti-Semitic thought that is behind all of this. They have dug deep trenches and built high walls around these false prophetic teachings. If their members question or doubt this belief it is highly probable that they will find themselves suffering from peer pressure from others within the church or the possibility of having their membership removed. Because of this, many people are afraid to search the scriptures for themselves. This is the only reason that these teachings still survive today. When we carefully look at the Word of God we find that it is a must for Israel to be in the Rapture of the Church, because they will be in the Church as born again believers. The following are some of the reasons that Israel will be in the Rapture of the Church:

The Promises belonged to Israel first

Romans 9:
1: I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
2: That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.
3: For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
4: Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;
5: Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

By looking at the scriptures above it is easy to understand that the promises all belong to Israel. Israel was not the kingdom of God, but was in the kingdom of God. We are not grafted into them but into the kingdom of God that they already belonged to. When Jesus came those in Israel that did not receive him were cast out of the kingdom of God and God allowed the Gentiles to come in. We are very blessed indeed, but we did not replace Israel. Israel was suppose to be first in the Covenant but for the most part rejected Jesus. Because of this, God concluded them "all" in blindness so that he could save the Gentiles. This is what Jesus was talking about when he said that the first would be last and the last first.

This is saying that although Israel should have been saved first it was the Gentiles that became first and Israel would be saved last. But Israel is still in the promises of God. And will come in during the last days to be saved. In the scripture God promises to rapture the Church. All of the promises in the teachings of Jesus were given directly to them first. His disciples were all Jews. It was promised to them to be in the Rapture of the Church.

The reason I believe that our Bible teachers in the past were anti-Semitic is because they knew this and yet they were eager to cut Israel out of the Rapture. They also realized that to cut Israel out of the Rapture was to cut them out of the Resurrection as well. This could only come from anti-Semitic resentment. When they saw that this was the case in their teachings they should have studied the Bible more to see what the real truth of it was. How do you think that the Twelve Disciples, the Apostle Paul along with the other Apostles, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob would view this teaching?

The First Rapture Scriptures in the Bible was to Israel

Isaiah 26:
15: Thou hast increased the nation, O LORD, thou hast increased the nation: thou art glorified: thou hadst removed it far unto all the ends of the earth.
This is Israel and God has increased the nation by restoring Israel as it is today. But has increased them in another way and that is by restoring them to God through Jesus Christ. Many have been born again at this time.

16: LORD, in trouble have they visited thee, they poured out a prayer when thy chastening was upon them.
It is in trouble that they call on God. This trouble is the Tribulation and the invasion of the anti-Christ. This will be the straw that breaks the camels back as the old expression goes. They begin to search what has gone wrong. In their searching they will realize that they were wrong about Jesus and will repent and turn to him for salvation.

17: Like as a woman with child, that draweth near the time of her delivery, is in pain, and crieth out in her pangs; so have we been in thy sight, O LORD.
This being as a woman with child is speaking of birth pains. These birth pains are speaking of the suffering that will cause Israel to bring forth children to God. It is the same as verse 16 in that it shows what will cause the salvation of Israel.

18: We have been with child, we have been in pain, we have as it were brought forth wind; we have not wrought any deliverance in the earth; neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen.
Because Israel has been reborn at this time they realize that the return of Jesus will be very soon. They are saying that since millions of them have been born again, why are they not given the opportunity to do anything for God before the return of Christ? What isn't mentioned here is told in other places in scripture that shows that Israel will help take the Gospel to the world during the last few years of the Tribulation period.

19: Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.
This speaks of the resurrection of the dead and it is speaking of the first resurrection, not the second. This will occur at the very end of the Tribulation period when the whole Church both Jew and Gentile alike will be caught up together.

20: Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.
Since verse 19 was speaking of the time of the resurrection we know that the resurrection is only part of the event that we know as the rapture of the Church. "Thy chambers" is speaking of being in heaven itself while we all eat the marriage supper of Lamb.

21: For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.
While they are in heaven with the gentiles who have been saved they will all eat the marriage supper of the Lamb. While this event is taking place in heaven earthquakes and great hail will fall upon the earth. After the marriage supper Christ will return with the saints to Armageddon and to bring judgement at the judgement seat of Christ.

The teaching that the rapture of the Church takes place before the Tribulation leaves Israel out of the Rapture and the marriage supper of Lamb. This teaching is so full of Gentile pride it is a wonder we are not cut off the same as Israel was in their day. Those that teach that Israel is going to stay in a box canyon (Petra) for the last 3 and 1/2 years would certainly like to believe that Israel doesn't get to do any work for Jesus. The scriptures above seem to back it up in the sense that Israel feels that they have come into the kingdom so late that they won't be able to do anything for Christ. But, before we are finished we will prove that this is not the case.

Here is another witness of Israel in the Rapture of the Church

Daniel 12:
1: And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
Thy people is speaking of Israel, Daniel's people. Israel will escape the anti-Christ and will be born again. All names whether Jew or Gentile is written in the book from the foundation of the earth.

2: And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
This is the resurrection of the dead and since it is, the rapture of the Church takes place at the same time. It is the first Resurrection. Those who are risen "to shame and everlasting contempt" are risen in the second Resurrection a thousand years later.

3: And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
Notice "they that turn many to righteousness", sounds like soul winning to me.

Does Israel get to do anything for God?

Daniel 12:
7: And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.

After the power of Daniel's people is scattered then all things will come to an end. It will be over. To understand this we must use the King James Version of the Bible. The reason being is that other translators were unable to see what this was speaking of and thought that "smashed or shatter" would be better words to describe it. Especially since it's Israel, we'll just smash them, they have it coming, right? No, they don't, and the correct word for this is "scattered." The power of Daniel's people is the same power that we have today through the Gospel of Jesus Christ and some of the following scriptures define it. The end will not come until it is scattered throughout the earth, and the Jews will get to help us scatter it.

Matthew 24: 14: And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Rom:1:16: For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
1Cor:1:18: For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
1Cor:1:24: But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
1Cor:2:5: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

Israel sharing the Gospel to the Nations, followed by Armageddon

Isaiah 66:
19: And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.
20: And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD.
21: And I will also take of them for priests and for Levites, saith the LORD.
22: For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.
23: And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.
24: And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.

These scriptures are described by many theologians as Israel taking the Gospel during the thousand-year reign of Christ. But this must happen before the millennial reign begins. Why? Because the scriptures tell us that every knee is going to bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus is Lord at his coming. Jesus comes before the millennial reign begins and during that reign everyone in the world is commanded to come to Jerusalem once a year to see Jesus. Who in the world during that time is not going to have heard of his fame or glory?

Verse 20 is an allegory of Israel getting men to Jesus anyway they can. In that day they had no knowledge of the transportation that we have today. It is a shadow of the work of Israel in sharing the Gospel to the nations. All of this is finished in verse 24 viewing the destruction of the millions who are killed at the return of Christ at Armageddon. We are reminded that these dead men are in Hell where their fire is not quenched.

Finally we must go back to what Paul said about Israel's salvation.
Romans 11: 26: And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
27: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
29: For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

By looking at the above scriptures we see that Israel is given the same exact covenant that we are in, and that the gifts and callings of God are without repentance. Their gifts and callings are the same as ours: the gift of eternal life and the call to take the Gospel to the World.

We have one dispensation of Grace and that is to save both Jew and Gentile. The fullness of the Gentile described in Romans 11 is speaking of the time that the Gentiles will finally share Jesus with the Jew.
Paul explained God's plan to save the whole world in Romans 11:
30: For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
31: Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
32: For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

This is saying that we received Christ because Israel rejected him, but the day will come that we would have mercy and give the Gospel to the them so that they can be saved as well. He did this so that he could have mercy upon all, both Jew and Gentile. In a sense we are indebted to Israel because of their rejection. Had they not rejected Jesus the Gospel the Gentiles would not have received Christ first, it would have been us coming in at the end of the age. The door for both Jew and Gentile will be open until Jesus comes back to gather the Church and resurrect the dead.

We must realize that it is cold blooded to leave any race out of the rapture of the Church whether we are able to understand all of the promises or not. God is without respect of persons. Red and Yellow, Black or White they are precious in his sight. God so loved the world and that includes Israel as well. We must be born again in order to do this, but Israel is going to come in.
The Bible describes this happing in one of the parables of Jesus. Jesus told the story of laborers who worked in the field all day for a penny. In the afternoon after the day was almost gone, others came in and wanted to work as well. He put them to work and in a short time the day was over and he gave everyone a penny for their labor. This is a shadow of Israel coming into the kingdom to work for Jesus in the last days. Their reward will be eternal life just the same as everyone else. In this story those who had been laboring the longest thought that God should have given them more since they had been working longer. God is teaching the Gentiles not to be resentful when Israel does come in at the last minute to work for him. He will be very pleased when they do.

Yours in Christ,
Tommie Spurgeon

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