The resurrection from the dead has nothing whatever to do with our escaping Antichrist or the Great Tribulation! It is concerned with our living once again on the earth in the Kingdom of God. Quite a different emphasis, would you say!

The ascension that follows the resurrection is being presented as an escape from trouble. (Who needs an escape from trouble when he has been raised from the dead?—ridiculous!) This is a totally illogical, indefensible interpretation of the Scriptures. The ascension that follows the resurrection is for the purpose of catching up the warriors, both the dead and the living, into the air in preparation for their descent with Jesus Christ in the attack of Armageddon.

Tremendous Bible emphasis is placed on the return of Christ and the saints to bring justice to mankind. There is little or no emphasis in the Scriptures on our laying around in Heaven with our friends and relatives.

In fact, when the Bible shows people in a paradisiac environment it is on the present earth or the new earth. Paradise originally was on the earth in or near present-day Iraq.

In addition to all this, our present behavior is going to affect the type of resurrection we have, just as we see the Apostle Paul laying all else aside in order to attain the resurrection out from the dead. The Bible states that the white robe given to the saints at the time of the coming of the Lord is "the righteous works of the saints." We are going to be clothed in our own behavior in the day of resurrection. We certainly are going to reap what we are sowing as a Christian.

Our vision, then, is not that of being caught up to Heaven. Our vision is that of being raised from the dead, of standing on the earth in a glorified body, of being caught up to meet the Commander-in-Chief in the air, of descending with Him on a white war stallion to take control of the earth.

This is the true Bible vision. The other vision of our future is not scriptural. You might find it of interest to reread the Scriptures in terms of these two different visions and see which one you perceive to be closer to what is written.

To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— "He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery"just as I have received authority from my Father. (Revelation 2:26,27—NIV)

First of all we notice the condition: "To him who overcomes and does my will to the end." The condition is not that we are "saved," or have taken "the four steps of salvation." The condition is that we overcome, and then that we do the will of Christ to the end: that is, to the end of our life or until the Lord returns.

To be continued.