I got an email asking me "how do I reconcile Phil 1:21, into my theory?"
First of all - it is not a theory. I am quoting the word of God and interpreting it the way I read it.
OK, it may not be the way most of the fundamental denominations' doctrine interpret the scriptures I thought I was clarifying in my comments.
As for Phil 1:21, let's look at what the "Spirit" has shown me in context.
First let me go to another scripture to lay the background.
"From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness; besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches." [2 Cor 11:24-28]
Here we see the suffering that Paul endured from the Jews for the church.
Now we will got to Philippians which was written from prison where the Jews had him placed for defending the church, the body of Christ. This, I believe, is another situation where Paul wants to be RAPTURED. He wants to be with His Savior.
"But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from good will: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel." [vv. 12-17]
-> Paul is exhorting the church by telling them that his imprisonment seemed to be for the furtherance of the kingdom in that he had the guards believing that being a bondservant for Christ was the true chains in his life. Their chains didn't cause the saints to become faint and fearful and lose confidence in the Gospel he preached.
-> His life should be to them an example of steadfastness and witness under adverse circumstances which made some bold to witness, although some were not always motivated for the right reasons. They were to carry on in good will and love.
"What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice. For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death." [vv. 18-20]
-> Paul is conveying the message that he is rejoicing as long as Christ is preached and that their prayers, if not, then his death will free him from his physical imprisonment. Either way, Paul expected that their prayers would deliver him. God did not give us a Spirit of fear. In the New Testament, Paul's letters to the church ensure that "Christ is preached."
"For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you." [vv. 21-24]
-> To live would mean he could continue in his ministry. His life found all its meaning in Christ. To die would be gain for him because then there will be his ultimate union with Christ, without the sufferings of this life.
-> Here on earth in this perishable body, Christ is with us. To die means we would be with Him in a better place with or waiting for an imperishable body by being raptured. Paul would be released from his imprisonment and constant persecution from the Jews.
-> He was confident that either release in life or death would advance the cause of Christ. His desire would be that he be released because it would be for the churches advantage that he could continue his preaching. But if Paul had got his wish it would not have furthered the kingdom like his imprisonment. While being imprisoned, Paul wrote to the churches which is now a major portion of the New Testament. This was "more needful" because this was the ministry that is still evangelizing the lost. If he was released, it would be faith building answered prayer to them.
"And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again. Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God." [vv.25-28]
-> Here Paul seems certain that he will be acquitted, because he believed he was still needed on earth in the Lord's service. The big question is, "Could Paul have been as effective if he was free? Would he have still written the letters to the churches?"
-> To be worthy of the Gospel, believers should stand strife and suffering. To be of one mind is to have the mind of Christ [1 Cor 2:16] and a be a body not having spot nor wrinkle, being holy and without blemish.[Eph 5:27]
I think to be worthy of the Gospel one only needs to:
"... present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." [Rom 12:1b, 2]
How do we do that? Well I believe that everything we do is first a thought. So if we examine verse 2, it tells us to transform our thinking, by this we can renew our minds. Remember when Jesus said "But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." [Mat 5:28]
It would appear that looking leads to thinking, leading to action. Therefore "casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ." [2 Cor 10:5] There is no arguing that evil thoughts lead to evil deeds. Take every thought captive and examine them closely to see if they glorify God before entertaining or acting on them.
"Deliverance" in verse 12 could either be Paul's personal final salvation or his release from prison. Either way, to live is Christ, and to die is gain!
As you see this passage does not at any time say that the dead saints would be rejoicing and dancing in heaven prior to the rapture.
I still believe they are bodiless, naked, without clothes, awaiting the rapture to raise together with the living and be with Christ forever.
I think these scriptures should be enough proof for any believer to reconcile my "theories" to the word of God.
In His service
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