| In-Depth Study of The Book of Revelation Explanation of Terms R - Z |
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Rapture - This refers to the time, prior to the start of the 7 year Tribulation Period, when
believing Christians (both dead and alive) will "in the twinkling of an eye" rise up to
meet Christ in the air.
"... if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in
Jesus will G-d bring with Him. For this we say unto you by the world of the L-rd, that
we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the L-rd shall not precede them which
are asleep.
For the L-rd himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout ... and the dead in
Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up
(RAPTURED) together with them in the clouds, to meet the L-rd in the air: and so shall
we ever be with the L-rd" (1 Thessalonians 4:14-17).
The Saints - Those who accept Christ (in their heart) as both personal Savior and L-rd.
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on Him that
sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from
death unto life" (John 5:24).
"For the wages of sin is death but the gift of G-d is eternal life through Jesus Christ
our L-rd" (Romans 6:23).
"For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of
G-d: Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8, 9).
"All honor to G-d, the G-d and Father of our L-rd Jesus Christ for it is His boundless
mercy that has given us the privilege of being born again, so that we are now members
of G-d's own family. Now we live in the hope of eternal life because Christ rose again
from the dead. And G-d has reserved for His children the priceless gift of eternal life; it
is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay" (1
Peter 1:3, 4 Living New Testament).
Through the quoting of these Scripture verses G-d's Word defines (a) how you can
be a saint, (b) the rich promises that will be yours when you accept Christ as your
personal Saviour, and (c) your eternal rewards in heaven.
Saved - The term "saved" and "born-again" are used interchangeably. One who has
accepted Christ as His personal Saviour is born again into the family of G-d and is saved
from an eternity in Hell and is assured of an eternity with Christ in Heaven.
In Acts 16:30, 31 we read:
"... What must I do to be saved? And they (Paul and Silas) said, Believe on the L-rd
Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved..." And the well know verses in John 3:15, 17 tell us:
"For G-d so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
For G-d sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world
through Him might be saved."
For further light on this, read the definition on THE SAINTS.
Second Coming of Christ - This is one of the most prominent doctrines in the Bible. In
the New Testament alone it is referred to over 300 times. His First Coming was over
1900 years ago when He came on earth to save man from sin. The Second Coming is an
event starting at the Rapture and comprehending four phases: First, at the Rapture
Christ takes the believers out of this world to be with Him (1 Thessalonians 4). Second,
Christ pours out His judgments on the world during the 7 year Tribulation Period.
Third, Christ at the end of the 7 year Tribulation destroys the Antichrist and his wicked
followers (Revelation 19). Fourth, Chirst sets up HIs millennial Kingdom prophesied so
often in the Old Testament.
Theocracy - Theocracy from the Greek Theos, "G-d," and cracy "rule." Hence, this term
denotes a rule or kingdom where G-d Himself is both the acknowledged supreme
leader and the actual supreme leader. This was the case of Old Testament Israel. There
the religious laws were as binding as the civil laws - and indeed there was no real
distinction between the two. G-d was worshipped by the state as well as by the
individual. G-d ruled in actuality by His Law through the High Priest and through His
prophets. The millennium shall be a world-theocracy, and since the Only True G-d is
righteous, holy, good, kind, and loving the Millennium shall be the earth's Golden Age.
Tribulation - In our reference to the Tribulation Period we mean that period of
phenomenal world trial and suffering that occurs during the seven year reign of
Antichrist (Daniel 12:1 tells us, "... there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was
since there was a nation."
It is at this time that the Jews (and those who accept Christ as Saviour during this
seven-year period) will be severely persecuted through imprisonment, torture and death
(Jeremiah 30:7; Revelation 12). The final 3 1/2 years of this period will be characterized,
in Christ's words, by "great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of
the world" (Matthew 24:21).
believing Christians (both dead and alive) will "in the twinkling of an eye" rise up to
meet Christ in the air.
"... if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in
Jesus will G-d bring with Him. For this we say unto you by the world of the L-rd, that
we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the L-rd shall not precede them which
are asleep.
For the L-rd himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout ... and the dead in
Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up
(RAPTURED) together with them in the clouds, to meet the L-rd in the air: and so shall
we ever be with the L-rd" (1 Thessalonians 4:14-17).
The Saints - Those who accept Christ (in their heart) as both personal Savior and L-rd.
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on Him that
sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from
death unto life" (John 5:24).
"For the wages of sin is death but the gift of G-d is eternal life through Jesus Christ
our L-rd" (Romans 6:23).
"For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of
G-d: Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8, 9).
"All honor to G-d, the G-d and Father of our L-rd Jesus Christ for it is His boundless
mercy that has given us the privilege of being born again, so that we are now members
of G-d's own family. Now we live in the hope of eternal life because Christ rose again
from the dead. And G-d has reserved for His children the priceless gift of eternal life; it
is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay" (1
Peter 1:3, 4 Living New Testament).
Through the quoting of these Scripture verses G-d's Word defines (a) how you can
be a saint, (b) the rich promises that will be yours when you accept Christ as your
personal Saviour, and (c) your eternal rewards in heaven.
Saved - The term "saved" and "born-again" are used interchangeably. One who has
accepted Christ as His personal Saviour is born again into the family of G-d and is saved
from an eternity in Hell and is assured of an eternity with Christ in Heaven.
In Acts 16:30, 31 we read:
"... What must I do to be saved? And they (Paul and Silas) said, Believe on the L-rd
Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved..." And the well know verses in John 3:15, 17 tell us:
"For G-d so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
For G-d sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world
through Him might be saved."
For further light on this, read the definition on THE SAINTS.
Second Coming of Christ - This is one of the most prominent doctrines in the Bible. In
the New Testament alone it is referred to over 300 times. His First Coming was over
1900 years ago when He came on earth to save man from sin. The Second Coming is an
event starting at the Rapture and comprehending four phases: First, at the Rapture
Christ takes the believers out of this world to be with Him (1 Thessalonians 4). Second,
Christ pours out His judgments on the world during the 7 year Tribulation Period.
Third, Christ at the end of the 7 year Tribulation destroys the Antichrist and his wicked
followers (Revelation 19). Fourth, Chirst sets up HIs millennial Kingdom prophesied so
often in the Old Testament.
Theocracy - Theocracy from the Greek Theos, "G-d," and cracy "rule." Hence, this term
denotes a rule or kingdom where G-d Himself is both the acknowledged supreme
leader and the actual supreme leader. This was the case of Old Testament Israel. There
the religious laws were as binding as the civil laws - and indeed there was no real
distinction between the two. G-d was worshipped by the state as well as by the
individual. G-d ruled in actuality by His Law through the High Priest and through His
prophets. The millennium shall be a world-theocracy, and since the Only True G-d is
righteous, holy, good, kind, and loving the Millennium shall be the earth's Golden Age.
Tribulation - In our reference to the Tribulation Period we mean that period of
phenomenal world trial and suffering that occurs during the seven year reign of
Antichrist (Daniel 12:1 tells us, "... there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was
since there was a nation."
It is at this time that the Jews (and those who accept Christ as Saviour during this
seven-year period) will be severely persecuted through imprisonment, torture and death
(Jeremiah 30:7; Revelation 12). The final 3 1/2 years of this period will be characterized,
in Christ's words, by "great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of
the world" (Matthew 24:21).
Ministry of Gates of Praise Ministries, Inc.
Copyright Gates of Praise Ministries 2007
Copyright Gates of Praise Ministries 2007