Now the Rapture theory hindges on the word “prevent” (greek = phthano) . This word appears 7 times as is seen in the New Teatament verses below —
Mt 12:28 But (de) if (ei) I (ego) cast out (ekballo) devils (daimonion) by (en) the Spirit (pneuma) of God (theos), then (ara) the kingdom (basileia) of God (theos) is come (phthano) unto (epi) you (humas).
Lu 11:20 But (de) if (ei) I with (en) the finger (daktulos) of God (theos) cast out (ekballo) devils (daimonion), no doubt (ara) the kingdom (basileia) of God (theos) is come (phthano) upon (epi) you (humas).
Ro 9:31 But (de) Israel (Israel), which followed (dioko) after the law (nomos) of righteousness (dikaiosune), hath (phthano) not (ou) attained (phthano) to (eis) the law (nomos) of righteousness (dikaiosune).
2Co 10:14 For (gar) we stretch (huperekteino) not (ou) ourselves (heautou) beyond (huperekteino) our measure, as (hos) though we reached (ephikneomai) not (me) unto (eis) you (humas): for (gar) we are come (phthano) as far as (achri) to you (humon) also (kai) in (en) preaching the gospel (euaggelion) of Christ (Christos):
Php 3:16 Nevertheless (plen), whereto (eis) (hos) we have already attained (phthano), let us walk (stoicheo) by the same (autos) rule (kanon), let us mind (phroneo) the same thing (autos).
1Th 2:16 Forbidding (koluo) us (hemas) to speak (laleo) to the Gentiles (ethnos) that (hina) they might be saved (sozo), to (eis) fill up (anapleroo) their (autos) sins (hamartia) alway (pantote): for (de) the wrath (orge) is come (phthano) upon (epi) them (autos) to (eis) the uttermost (telos).
1Th 4:15 For (gar) this (touto) we say (lego) unto you (humin) by (en) the word (logos) of the Lord (kurios), that (hoti) we (hemeis) which (ho) are alive (zao) and remain (perileipo) unto (eis) the coming (parousia) of the Lord (kurios) shall
As you can see the common translation of this word is encompassed by the concept of "coming unto". Placing the word “Come” where phthano is in 1 Thessalonians 4:15 we get this –
Incidently, even if a person uses the popular translation of "phthano", which is "come before", the same idea can be seen. Those alive are not to "Come before" those who sleep. Wether the phrase "come before" or "come unto" is used, the verses can be seen to convey the Lord's command, that the Christians who are alive spiritually (awake) are not to attempt to wake the willfully sinful brother or sister. The Lord will accomplish this through discipline. The point being that the Lord commanded this so that the faithful beleivers (those who remain awake) will not be led into the sin of their "sleeping" brethren.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1Th 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not come unto them which are asleep.
The next verse then says that the Lord will come to them. The Lord is telling us not to go to those who are spiritually asleep (1 Thessalonians 5:6), God will bring the sleepers into the resurrection of Colossians 3:1.
Jesus physical resurrection is a pattern for us to use. Our compliance or identification with Jesus physical resurrection is encompassed or fulfilled when we abstain from ungodliness, Romans 6:1-11. Our learning not to sin (resurrection) is the action of grace, Titus 2:11 &12. Christians are resurrected from the state of being dead in sins and transgressions when they abstain from ungodliness, or sin.
The Lord tells us in 1 Corinthians 5:11 not to keep company with disobedient people who call themselves Christians.
1Co 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
Now I know that the following instruction is scriptural and appears to contradict 1 Cor 5:11.
Ga 6:1 ¶ Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. {if: or, although}
This is clarified in Hebrews 10:26&27 where the concept of willful sin is introduced. A mistake leading to sin is not the same as willful sin. Willful sin suggests that a person may be sinning without desiring repentance which of course will bring judgment from the Lord. The Lord Jesus does not want faithful Christians to be influenced towards sin by a brother or sister who may be sinning willfully.
Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
Heb 10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
Keeping company with someone who considers themselves a Christian but willfully sins is discouraged because their sin is going to bring certain judgment from the Lord. The judgment is meant to correct the disobedient Christian so they will not eventually be condemned, 1 Corinthians 11:32.
Christians are encouraged to come away from disobedient people who are about to be judged. The book of Revelation encourages us to come out from among "them" so that we do not participate in their plagues (judgments), Revelation 18:4.
1 Thessalonians 5:2 shows that the Lord will raise the believing sleeper by employing the judgement referred to as the Day of the Lord. This application of the discipline of the Lord will result in the sleeper’s waking up and not sinning. Then the sleepers will be awake or become alert and they will join those who remained awake (actively abstaining from sin) in the clouds (Gods presence) to meet the Lord in the air, (the domain of satan).
Since the former sleepers eventually join those who have "remained and were alive" - I conclude that the phrase in the air indicates that this event happens during their lifetimes and on earth, while we are surrounded by the air. It is apparent that in the spirit (after physical death when we are absent from the body and present with the Lord) we will have no need of air, but here on earth we need it to live, and satan is called the prince of the power of the air.
=================================================================================
1 Thess 4:13. But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord (in the presence of the Lord) shall not COME to them which are asleep.
16. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds (clouds symbolically refer to God's Spirit), to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
=================================================================================
1 Thessalonians 5
1. But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
2. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
3. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
4. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
7. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
8. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
9. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
10. Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
11. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
Pasted above is my understanding of the verses – the changes are in capital letters.
