Why do some Christians have trouble believing in a pre-trib rapture (or a rapture at all)? Maybe they don’t understand that Jesus paid our debt in full?

I am a Messianic believer with a Jewish mother and a Christian father. Would I be included in the church and qualified to participate in the rapture? I believe that I am, but can you please confirm this from Scripture?

How can believing human survivors of the Great Tribulation be allowed into the millennial kingdom as mortals when Paul states clearly in 1 Corinthians 15: 50 that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God?

I have always been a little confused concerning the 12 tribes of Israel. Jacob had 12 sons, which became the 12 tribes. When land was given to the tribes, Levi received no land, and the 2 sons of Joseph were each given land making them 2 independent tribes. That makes 13 total.

After King Solomon’s death, God separated the nation. In 1 Kings, it says that God separated the nation into the northern 10 tribes (counting Joseph’s sons as separate tribes) and the tribe of Judah (10+1=11 tribes). Assuming the Levi was not included in this count because they received no land, that makes 12 tribes accounted for, but, since in the 10 northern tribes Joseph’s sons are counted as separate tribes, there should be a total of 13. The missing tribe appears to be Simeon, which was completely surrounded by the tribe of Judah. Can you explain why the tribes were counted like this?

Hello, You have a wonderfully informative site. I have a quick question regarding people being left behind after the rapture and the possibility of their salvation. You state, and I agree, that the rapture is a “number” event. Specifically, the number of the gentiles being fulfilled. I personally take this to mean that there is no more. I just don’t see how gentiles can still be saved, after the number of the gentiles is fulfilled. I lean towards the rapture occurring during a time of intense global turmoil, where when the rapture occurs, it will be explained away. This may coincide with the strong delusion that Paul speaks of. Thoughts?

The teaching that the seven churches of Rev. 2-3 chronicle Church history is man made, and is not specifically taught by the word of God. That being the case, why do so many people give Rev 3:10 as factual proof that the church will be taken out before the 70th week of Daniel?

You have probably answered this but I am wondering if the born again believers who have already died from this century and earlier centuries, get to go straight into the new Jerusalem as the raptured believers do?

I have heard in recent times about a coming 3 days of darkness wherein the redeemer will activate believers further with the spirit. (I think this occurred in Egypt prior to the Exodus, at least the darkness part) Have you also heard of such a thing and do you think it’s scriptural or what are your thoughts on this?

I completely agree with your scriptural view that there will be no true believers left behind when the bride is called home (rapture). However, there is a large elephant in the room many people seem determined to ignore. Will myriads of ‘church members’ not be taken in the rapture because they never Biblically came to Christ? Many pastors in the emergent/seeker friendly movement oppose any literal Bible teaching that might offend their membership. So my question is what happens to all of these people who believe church affiliation equates to New Testament salvation? What are your thoughts?

Re: Our All Knowing God. You stated that “we won’t die until the days ordained for us have all been fulfilled.” Also, “I believe God foreknew which of us would choose to accept the pardon He purchased for us (Romans 8:29-30), and therefore we couldn’t die before making that choice.” The question of babies aborted (whether “naturally” or forced) comes to my mind, and leaves me wondering how all this fits for them.

Also, your statement that “None of this is meant to imply that God chooses who will be born…” brings up another question. Does this mean that Psalm 139 comes into effect “after” the joining of the sperm and egg? And how those two did join is perhaps a “chance” action? I’ve wondered about this for some time, what with having 5 children.