IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE
What does the biblical term, "in the twinkling of an eye" really mean? Many say that it means that something happens "faster than in the blink of an eye." For certain, whatever it means, it is fast! The next question is, what exactly happens "in the twinkling of an eye"? This verse in 1 Corinthians 15, is one of the most misquoted verses of all time.
It says “we shall be "changed” in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye." It does not say that the rapture happens in the twinkling of an eye.
Let's look at the verses that precede and follow our key verses:
This whole section of scripture is about “how we shall become like the Lord.” These verses explain how "corruption" is not fit for heaven and how the flesh and blood bodies that we now have, are mortal and of corruption. Both the bodies of the saints in heaven and those who are still alive, must be made "fit for heaven." The term, "in the twinkling of an eye" is used to describe the speed of the changing of the bodies and remains from corruptible to incorruptible and not about the speed of the rapture at all!
Paul also shares with us in 1 Thessalonians, some other very important information about our “gathering together” unto the Lord.
Those who "died in Christ" will return with Him. “They” are not in the grave - only “their bodies” are. "Those who sleep in Jesus" is another commonly misunderstood term. When we die, only our bodies die. Our spirits go to be with the Lord (John 11:26, 2 Corinthians 5:8).
This is also confirmed by what Jesus said.
As for how long the rapture takes, just “the trumpet blast alone” will take longer than “the twinkling of an eye.” And before the Lord enters this dimension or atmosphere, we know the sky will roll back like a scroll and an earthquake will happen as it says in Revelation 6:14 ~ and all this will take more than a blink or a twinkling of an eye!
So what difference does understanding this simple truth about the true meaning of “in the twinkling of an eye” make? It makes a difference because only true precepts must be built upon true precepts because only the truth stands. We must know the Bible for ourselves, recognize and refuse to take in erroneous teachings.
In the following situation, a famous preacher is continuously promoting falsehood. And because he is famous, people sadly believe him.
For example, on March 10, 2015, I heard a famous preacher from San Antonio, Texas, say that it is impossible for the saints not to be taken out at any other time than the beginning of the 7 years and he was emphatic that the saints would not have to see the Antichrist. He said the rapture happens in Revelation 4:1 when a voice from heaven said to John “Come up here” - He then further said that, “everything, all events that happen after that in the entire book of Revelation” are “post-rapture.” This is so not true. The seven seals of Revelation 6, correlate with Matthew 24, Luke 21 and Mark 13. The apostle John in Revelation chapter 4, was being shown heaven, so He could be shown (and relate to us) about the Scroll, the Lamb and Lion and the opening of the seven seals, and his experience absolutely was not secretly showing John's visit as being the rapture for us and then everything in the book of Revelation after that is post-rapture!
This preacher not only promotes improper timing, but also claims the rapture can happen at any minute and will be invisible (both of which, false concepts are dispelled with God's Word in the articles, Can The Rapture Really Happen Today? and Every Eye Will See Him). It is time for us to know the truth of God's Word for ourselves and filter out errant teachings! The idea that the church is raptured up in chapter 4 of the book of Revelation is totally unscriptural. All one has to do is keep reading the rest of the book of Revelation with open eyes and this falsehood crumbles.
Consider the 7 seals which start in Revelation, chapter 6.
The rapture happens at the 6th and 7th seals (which takes a lot longer than any twinkling of an eye, please read Revelation 6:12-17,8:1). The 7th seal being Revelation 8:1 where there is silence in heaven for about an half hour. And even the 5th seal (Revelation 6:9-11), where the martyred saints cry out “how much longer O Lord” and John writes and I paraphrase, “not yet until the correct number of saints are martyred.” Once again, I repeat, the rapture, is the 6th and 7th seals! So how could this famous preacher and others like him be right? They aren't, they are absolutely wrong.
Not only all this, but the 144,000 Jews, 12,000 from each tribe, “have to be sealed;” read all of Revelation 7 and you can see “them sealed” and “followed by the gathering of the saints” arriving in heaven... whereupon an Elder says to John in Revelation 7:14: "So he said to me, "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” How can this be in Revelation chapter 7, if the rapture happened in Revelation chapter 4 and as this "famous preacher" (and others) claim that the book of Revelation is in chronological order? Not only would that be impossible but the book of Revelation is not meant to be read as if it is simply chronological. It has been written to be "revealed by the Holy Spirit" and "repeats itself" and even has "interruptions" that a person has to see in order to get the full picture (see the article, The Holy Interruption). God did not make it easy to see on purpose. And He reveals it, just like all truth, according to where we are at the time and what we are able to receive!
There are events that must happen before the rapture and at the rapture. It is amazing that some people want to escape the idea of having to go through a time of tribulation so much, that they refuse to believe what the Bible says in black and white. In the following verses, it is quite clear that before our "gathering together" to the Lord, that two critical things must happen.
According the the verses above, Christians will live through a time of apostasy (great falling away) and live to see the Antichrist be in power and declare himself like God and demand all take the mark of the beast and since he will "sit as God in the temple of God."
In conclusion, the truth is what the Bible says. Our God is a God of order. All Scripture will be fulfilled. And according to the Bible, there are events that lead to the rapture and also at the rapture. Our bodies will be changed from corruptible to incorruptible, in the twinkling of an eye, just as the Scripture says. We can easily see that the rapture itself involves more than just the changing of bodies and will take longer than a twinkle or even a blink.
Consider reading fresh again, Matthew 24:1-51, Mark 13:1-37, Luke 17:20-37, Luke 21:5-36 and Revelation 6:12-17 regarding the "gathering together to the Lord" to meet Him in the air, when we see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven at the right hand of the Father. Some events are listed in the following closing paragraph.
There has to be time for a huge earthquake, the whole atmosphere will go dark by the sun going dark, the moon turning blood-red and stars falling from the sky. Then the sky will have to have time to “roll back like a scroll,” there has to be a heavenly trumpet blast and the shout of an archangel, time for the graves of the saints to open on the whole earth and give up the remains of them, those alive rising to meet the Lord and the saints in the air - both putting on incorruptible for corruptible (changing to the heavenly state) and with every eye will seeing Him, even the evil ones and ones even in hell will see Him (Revelation 1:7), and long enough for the 144,000 to be sealed (protected from the wrath to come). And even more. But this alone is enough to make the point!
- 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed-- in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
It says “we shall be "changed” in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye." It does not say that the rapture happens in the twinkling of an eye.
Let's look at the verses that precede and follow our key verses:
- 1 Corinthians 15:48-53 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed-- in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
This whole section of scripture is about “how we shall become like the Lord.” These verses explain how "corruption" is not fit for heaven and how the flesh and blood bodies that we now have, are mortal and of corruption. Both the bodies of the saints in heaven and those who are still alive, must be made "fit for heaven." The term, "in the twinkling of an eye" is used to describe the speed of the changing of the bodies and remains from corruptible to incorruptible and not about the speed of the rapture at all!
Paul also shares with us in 1 Thessalonians, some other very important information about our “gathering together” unto the Lord.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
Those who "died in Christ" will return with Him. “They” are not in the grave - only “their bodies” are. "Those who sleep in Jesus" is another commonly misunderstood term. When we die, only our bodies die. Our spirits go to be with the Lord (John 11:26, 2 Corinthians 5:8).
- 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. [their bodies] Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.
This is also confirmed by what Jesus said.
- John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?"
As for how long the rapture takes, just “the trumpet blast alone” will take longer than “the twinkling of an eye.” And before the Lord enters this dimension or atmosphere, we know the sky will roll back like a scroll and an earthquake will happen as it says in Revelation 6:14 ~ and all this will take more than a blink or a twinkling of an eye!
So what difference does understanding this simple truth about the true meaning of “in the twinkling of an eye” make? It makes a difference because only true precepts must be built upon true precepts because only the truth stands. We must know the Bible for ourselves, recognize and refuse to take in erroneous teachings.
In the following situation, a famous preacher is continuously promoting falsehood. And because he is famous, people sadly believe him.
For example, on March 10, 2015, I heard a famous preacher from San Antonio, Texas, say that it is impossible for the saints not to be taken out at any other time than the beginning of the 7 years and he was emphatic that the saints would not have to see the Antichrist. He said the rapture happens in Revelation 4:1 when a voice from heaven said to John “Come up here” - He then further said that, “everything, all events that happen after that in the entire book of Revelation” are “post-rapture.” This is so not true. The seven seals of Revelation 6, correlate with Matthew 24, Luke 21 and Mark 13. The apostle John in Revelation chapter 4, was being shown heaven, so He could be shown (and relate to us) about the Scroll, the Lamb and Lion and the opening of the seven seals, and his experience absolutely was not secretly showing John's visit as being the rapture for us and then everything in the book of Revelation after that is post-rapture!
This preacher not only promotes improper timing, but also claims the rapture can happen at any minute and will be invisible (both of which, false concepts are dispelled with God's Word in the articles, Can The Rapture Really Happen Today? and Every Eye Will See Him). It is time for us to know the truth of God's Word for ourselves and filter out errant teachings! The idea that the church is raptured up in chapter 4 of the book of Revelation is totally unscriptural. All one has to do is keep reading the rest of the book of Revelation with open eyes and this falsehood crumbles.
Consider the 7 seals which start in Revelation, chapter 6.
The rapture happens at the 6th and 7th seals (which takes a lot longer than any twinkling of an eye, please read Revelation 6:12-17,8:1). The 7th seal being Revelation 8:1 where there is silence in heaven for about an half hour. And even the 5th seal (Revelation 6:9-11), where the martyred saints cry out “how much longer O Lord” and John writes and I paraphrase, “not yet until the correct number of saints are martyred.” Once again, I repeat, the rapture, is the 6th and 7th seals! So how could this famous preacher and others like him be right? They aren't, they are absolutely wrong.
Not only all this, but the 144,000 Jews, 12,000 from each tribe, “have to be sealed;” read all of Revelation 7 and you can see “them sealed” and “followed by the gathering of the saints” arriving in heaven... whereupon an Elder says to John in Revelation 7:14: "So he said to me, "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” How can this be in Revelation chapter 7, if the rapture happened in Revelation chapter 4 and as this "famous preacher" (and others) claim that the book of Revelation is in chronological order? Not only would that be impossible but the book of Revelation is not meant to be read as if it is simply chronological. It has been written to be "revealed by the Holy Spirit" and "repeats itself" and even has "interruptions" that a person has to see in order to get the full picture (see the article, The Holy Interruption). God did not make it easy to see on purpose. And He reveals it, just like all truth, according to where we are at the time and what we are able to receive!
There are events that must happen before the rapture and at the rapture. It is amazing that some people want to escape the idea of having to go through a time of tribulation so much, that they refuse to believe what the Bible says in black and white. In the following verses, it is quite clear that before our "gathering together" to the Lord, that two critical things must happen.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
According the the verses above, Christians will live through a time of apostasy (great falling away) and live to see the Antichrist be in power and declare himself like God and demand all take the mark of the beast and since he will "sit as God in the temple of God."
In conclusion, the truth is what the Bible says. Our God is a God of order. All Scripture will be fulfilled. And according to the Bible, there are events that lead to the rapture and also at the rapture. Our bodies will be changed from corruptible to incorruptible, in the twinkling of an eye, just as the Scripture says. We can easily see that the rapture itself involves more than just the changing of bodies and will take longer than a twinkle or even a blink.
Consider reading fresh again, Matthew 24:1-51, Mark 13:1-37, Luke 17:20-37, Luke 21:5-36 and Revelation 6:12-17 regarding the "gathering together to the Lord" to meet Him in the air, when we see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven at the right hand of the Father. Some events are listed in the following closing paragraph.
There has to be time for a huge earthquake, the whole atmosphere will go dark by the sun going dark, the moon turning blood-red and stars falling from the sky. Then the sky will have to have time to “roll back like a scroll,” there has to be a heavenly trumpet blast and the shout of an archangel, time for the graves of the saints to open on the whole earth and give up the remains of them, those alive rising to meet the Lord and the saints in the air - both putting on incorruptible for corruptible (changing to the heavenly state) and with every eye will seeing Him, even the evil ones and ones even in hell will see Him (Revelation 1:7), and long enough for the 144,000 to be sealed (protected from the wrath to come). And even more. But this alone is enough to make the point!
Copyright © 2014 E. Cockrell May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.
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Copyright © 2014 E. Cockrell May be used for personal study or instruction but shall not be copied and/or distributed in whole or part without permission or for financial profit.