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Post by nightingale on May 27, 2006 0:13:16 GMT -5
Dear Brother Ben...I believe in the pre-trib rapture of the church...What I want to know is this: Jesus raptures the church (body of believers) Do all the children get raptured also and if not what happens to them if their parents are raptured? My brain is being stretched on this one...please help....Thanks...Sis Debbie
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Post by Brother Ben on May 27, 2006 14:51:35 GMT -5
Sister Debbie, The key phrase here is the rapture of the church. Though the epistles were sent to "the churches," the calling out will be to the believers, not the churches. Notice:
1Co 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 1Co 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
The we of these texts are not only the "saved," but also the "safe." Children who are under the age of accountability (which only God knows, it is case sensative,) will be included in the redemptive work of Christ. Those who are under the age of accountability are like those who have limited mental abilities. Paul said:
Rom 7:9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
Children are where Paul was, "...I was alive." However, when one sees that they are under condemnation, they become accountable. I would like to also point our that just because children know "facts," i.e., hitting is sin, this does not particularly make them a knowledgable sinner, because it is not until they recognize from heart fealt conviction that "they" are the sinner, they may not yet be accountable.
However, when a young person becomes knowledgable of their unsaved state, they are no longer safe, but like everyone else without Christ, are under condemnation.
So, to answer you question, some will be raptured, and some will not. I cannot put an age on it, but I know children can become aware of their spiritual state, and God knows.
2Ch 36:9 Jehoiachin was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem: and he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD.
The thing we should gain from this is twofold: 1. We should teach our children diligently until they come to the Lord. 2. We should continue teaching our children on the traits and characteristics of the Christian life.
Bro. Ben
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