I recently received this in response to my sharing on a Dispensational blog. It was there that I shared one of my posts.  

So here it is the taking up of the challenge to us and resulting came my desire to look closer at these potential differences: so this will likely become more than one post as it could get rather long.  I’m not going to list each one here as they are listed for us above, I will begin with numbers 1-5.  I do this because they are all  five predicated upon 1 point of Scripture communicated to us by Jesus. 

Number 1. Rapture: Christ appears in the air for His Church

Vs. Second Coming.  Christ returns to the earth with His Church. 

Now to that one point where there are two Verses:

John 14:2  In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (KJV)

These verses are believed to separate creating a separate purpose between the Church and Israel. I believe that there are assumptions made that go against what is clearly taught and understood from other scriptures about that relationship.  For example: dispensationalism says that Jesus has prepared the Church a heavenly home while Israel’s promises are all earthly land promises.  So just as the Jewish Rabbi today ignores Isa. 53 and other messianic passages when considering their Messiah; so Dispensationalism ignores:

Psalm 23:6  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. (KJV)

So David saw his forever dwelling as being in the house of the Lord.  (I go and prepaid a place for you) But there is another assumption made concerning the Church. And it is that we must go right there to this heavenly abode upon Jesus return, when, in fact, we are also included with Israel’s earthly as well as her heavenly promises. This is clearly taught to us in Ephesians chapter 2. 

Ephesians 2:12  That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:  13  But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.  14  For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;  15  Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;  16  And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: (KJV)

This purpose of oneness in Christ is so clear here and elsewhere in other passages that once we consider it we must ask: how could I have been so blind?  The Church is God’s vehicle for doing away with Israel’s law which is now obsolete and He is confirming Israel’s new covenant, which is incorporating us gentile converts from out of the world into it.  The Church began with the Jews, theologians get lost in the one fact that Israel’s religious leaders did not believe in their own promised New Covenant. That quickly got them and all who followed them cut off as dead branches from God’s blessed people (the olive Tree).  This occurred just as today’s religious false prophets will be cut off as dead branches from their offered new covenant; because their fruit was never brought to the ripening stage.  Jesus tells us of this pruning that is done by His Father, and our Father provided we follow and remain in Him.  For He said abide in me, for without me you can do nothing. 

So at the Second Coming Christ Appears in the air and the elect from Heaven and earth are gathered, caught up with Christ in the air to return with Him as His army to rule with Him.  

Mark 13:26  And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.  27  And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven. (KJV)

How can it be said that here there is no rapture accompanying His Second Coming. The rapture is the catching up.  Jesus has said in Revelation that when He comes He will judge every man for what he has done.  It must be that included in that statement is all that will take place during the day of the Lord (His day). 

Considering number 3. in our list what about the tribulation saints is lost in Dispensationalism?  We are told that they are the ones we the church will reign over; yet Scripture says they are crowned and will reign with Christ 1000 years. That is the same rewarding and promise given to the Church. 

The last judgment of His day will be the Great White Throne Judgment following the resurrection of the dead. It will be of those who are without Christ. 

Number 4 says there is no judgment on earth at the Rapture. This assumption is man made; for if the rapture must follow the resurrection as Paul clearly states it to us; then there is a judgment following it.  If Jesus does need a separate judgment of individuals in heaven of the bride, which will reign with Him; then why is He going to reward every man when He returns to earth?  The teaching supporting what they state here in number 4 and in their #15 says that the Jewish wedding takes place in the Fathers house. But the Ancient Jewish wedding took place, with the initial giving of the law, in the mother’s house. The house of the bride.  The bride would with her mother often embroider the names of the bride and groom on the virginity cloth, which would go on the marriage bed to be proof held by the mother and presented to witnesses should accusation ever be made by the groom that the bride was not a virgin at the time of consummation of the marriage.  Otherwise she could be falsely accused and stoned to death under Moses’ Law.  

The very first Ancient wedding for Israel was that of Jacob, which took place at Labans house.  The house of the bride.  There is also indication that wedding consummation in the song of Solomon took place in the chamber of the brides mother (Song of Songs Chapter 3).  

The exact time nor the exact location of Jesus wedding to His bride is not foretold in Scripture.  The bride is however not stated to have made herself ready for our marriage to our King, not until after the Tribulation in Rev. 19, and this would be the timing of exactly when Jesus reveals His gathering of His elect in Mark 13.  The bride in Scripture is not presented however until after the Millennium in Rev.  22. When she comes down out of heaven.  The significance of this in my mind could be that Jesus would still be gathering His bride throughout the millennium.   But that is only speculation and not supported with facts from Scripture, and speculation is unfortunately what our dispensational brethren do with the rapture’s timing itself.  

But one thing is certain in Scripture: both Old Covenant Israel, and her New Covenant Church are included in that bride in The new Jerusalem coming down from heaven. Her inclusion is clearly prophesied in Isa. 53 and 54.

So concerning number 5 for the second coming certainly there is no proof against the Church being Raptured as scripture records at the time of the second Coming, for this is said to be the time of the first resurrection and the Rapture cannot according to Paul precede the resurrection.  But still these theologians think that there is reason to question this, and they do and so we continue to deal with them in their listed numbers 6-16. So we will look further, in yet another post. 

Please List your thoughts or questions in the comments section.