If the church is “Raptured” in this generation, what are the people left still, in the “Institutionalized church”, called?

[Samson2020]

sounds like you are leaning towards 'good works' done by the individual

They are spiritual maturation works that the Lord lays out a reward for overcoming the spiritual obstacle.
I wouldn't think you'd have a problem with obtaining a reward from the Lord for maturing? Has nothing to do with salvation just maturing.

If each church was me, or you, as you say, that would say to me I could be like this church this morning, when I had met two other saved souls, but I could bea different church this afternoon when I met with a different group of saved believers, tomorrow I could be yet another?

First of all the church is the elect, and the letters were written to the elect in each location. To Sues point if it were just for them in that day then only the groups in modern
day Turkey could have been overcomers. But since it was written to the elect it applies to all the elect, as a challenge to mature.
Think of each group of people that are the elect all over the world who are in that same position as just one church mentioned, they are all in the overcoming of that one
issue no matter where they are on the face of the planet.
And once that issue is overcome for just one person that one person will usually find themselves in another overcoming issue, thus in another group. It has nothing to do with physical location for an elect.
And the group you are in physically may have several people who are at different stages of overcoming on these 7 issues. Indeed some will never progress past where they are now because they can't overcome where they are.

No one in this world knows who the 'elect' are

Romans 8:16 " The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit: that we are the children of God." The elect know who they are. And I would add can usually identify
another with reasonable surety by what comes out of their mouth.

 

[Samson2020]

I am pre-tribulation not taught this concept but by my own reading

How does this fit with Matthew 24:29-31

 

[Samson2020]

spiritual stones built up together as Christ Body His church.

The church is the body of Christ, the body or saved souls, the ekklesia.

Yes. And each stone will be perfect before it is put into place as part of the body. A good builder selects each stone and manicures it to fit exactly where he needs
it to fit so the whole building is strongest.

 

[Samson2020]

Do you believe that Satan is already in the Lake of Fire?

No. As he has not been tossed into the bottomless pit for the 1000 yrs yet the other is way off.

 

[Samson2020]

The news here in Michigan is talking a lot about “Easter Sunday” Easter eggs and the costume Easter bunny is celebrating all over advertising. Happy Easter!

I havn't found yet where the early congregations celebrated a DAY for the resurrection of the Lord, rather they celebrated his resurrection EVERY DAY.
As their entire hope was based on that.

It is the "church" that does the yearly DAY routine like Christmas, Easter etc... that at least draw attention to the birth and resurrection so I gotta give em that.

Ps. Anybody ever seen a rabbit lay an egg? Or reindeer fly? No wonder the children of today think the older generation are all liars and have no faith in what we say.
The cute traditions of men that caused us to lie to our children when we didn't know any better!

 

[PloughBoy]

How does this fit with Matthew 24:29-31

I view the text with mixture of “Biblical Hyperbole” of the Second coming of Christ. With the Saints of God. And Angels to usher in the 1000 year Reign. And the Powerful Angel with the chain who bounds the dragon Satan and cast into the pit for a “1000 years”. The beginning of our Reign with Christ who rules with a “iron Scepter”.

 

[PloughBoy]

I havn't found yet where the early congregations celebrated a DAY for the resurrection of the Lord, rather they celebrated his resurrection EVERY DAY.
As their entire hope was based on that.

It is the "church" that does the yearly DAY routine like Christmas, Easter etc... that at least draw attention to the birth and resurrection so I gotta give em that.

Ps. Anybody ever seen a rabbit lay an egg? Or reindeer fly? No wonder the children of today think the older generation are all liars and have no faith in what we say.
The cute traditions of men that caused us to lie to our children when we didn't know any better!

I know, look like some RCC Easter. Once you use to find material that pointed to celebration of the “fertility god” and rabbits was relating to mating habits and eggs was the results. Remember “Constantine” , the city of Byzantium, to “Constantinopolis”. Sun-god, territory. A lot of Idol gods sun god worshippers and temples. Who worshiped on “The Sun day”. Take it from there. Personal I think Sabbath means “Saturday” a day of rest from all types of works and we worship God everyday. And we honor God for giving us that day of rest from all works of any kind, even going to the park and going to a building call church.

 

[Sue D.]

@PloughBoy -- lots of 'attitude'. The 'rest of us' like to commemorate the day that Jesus Christ rose again from the grave. His death, burial and bodily resurrection. Sunday is the Lord's Day.

 

[PloughBoy]

@PloughBoy -- lots of 'attitude'. The 'rest of us' like to commemorate the day that Jesus Christ rose again from the grave. His death, burial and bodily resurrection. Sunday is the Lord's Day.

Just by telling how it got started is a attitude by “The Church of Rome”. I never told anyone to stop celebrating Easter or any other holiday they may choose. That is a person choice.

New International Version
Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.
(Colossians 2:16).

 

[Sue D.]

I havn't found yet where the early congregations celebrated a DAY for the resurrection of the Lord, rather they celebrated his resurrection EVERY DAY.
As their entire hope was based on that.

It is the "church" that does the yearly DAY routine like Christmas, Easter etc... that at least draw attention to the birth and resurrection so I gotta give em that.

Ps. Anybody ever seen a rabbit lay an egg? Or reindeer fly? No wonder the children of today think the older generation are all liars and have no faith in what we say.
The cute traditions of men that caused us to lie to our children when we didn't know any better!

That sounds a bit ridiculous. Your last sentence -- nothing causes anyone to lie to our kids. Now days it Is a cute tradition -- no one Makes anyone do it. There are churches who use plastic eggs and put Scripture verses in them. The eggs are found and the verses are read.

Maybe some of the adults need to be a little less cynical about everything. Maybe you should simply speak for yourself and not the entire older generation.

 

[Hekuran]

Just by telling how it got started is a attitude by “The Church of Rome”. I never told anyone to stop celebrating Easter or any other holiday they may choose. That is a person choice.

New International Version
Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.
(Colossians 2:16).

The whole ancient church, not just the Roman church, celebrated Easter. For example the Celtic church in Britain.

 

[Brother-Paul]

No one in this world knows who the 'elect' are -- only God the Father does.

Although the Names are in the Book of the Lamb and Book of Life, of which we do not have access, we are told how we know the elect, the saved souls. We can distinguish them by their fruits.

Romans 8:16 " The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit: that we are the children of God." The elect know who they are. And I would add can usually identify
another with reasonable surety by what comes out of their mouth.

Matthew 7:15-21 (NKJV)
15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?
17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.
19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

Blessings

 

[Brother-Paul]

Yes. And each stone will be perfect before it is put into place as part of the body. A good builder selects each stone and manicures it to fit exactly where he needs
it to fit so the whole building is strongest.

So true brother, but a stone mason dresses the stone he does not manicure it

Best intentions, I knew what you meant my friend.

 

[PloughBoy]

And I still stand by, celebrate any holiday you want. I judge no man or woman in such practices.
New International Version
Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.
(Colossians 2:16).

Have as many religious festival , new moons celebrations, sabbaths, a person wants. Any holiday.

 

[Br. Bear]

and the costume Easter bunny

he got away from Elmer Fudd!
Wascal Wabbit!!

 

[Dave M]

Although the Names are in the Book of the Lamb and Book of Life, of which we do not have access, we are told how we know the elect, the saved souls. We can distinguish them by their fruits.

excellent point brother !! I would like to add

Matthew 7:21
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

1 John 2:17
And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

1 John 2:4-6
Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

 

[PloughBoy]

he got away from Elmer Fudd!
Wascal Wabbit!!

And we thought it was a “Lamb” that should be honour , but the bunny stole the place of honour of representation. Of The Lamb that was slain .

 

[PloughBoy]

And we thought it was a “Lamb” that should be honour , but the bunny stole the place of honour of representation. Of The Lamb that was slain .

A innocent one too, without a spot or wrinkle, pure and white, and it rose and still had the scars and wounds in its side and hands. Happy Resurrection Sun-day. He lives! Through it all, He lives! Through the chambers of death, He lives! Oh, my soul, Behold, the Salvation of God! Let everyone rejoice and be glad our redemption draws near! He is the 1st born of many brotherns and sisters a new creature that never existed before! That rose from the dead, with All power on earth and in Heaven! And over all of the enemies!

 

[Sue D.]

excellent point brother !! I would like to add

Matthew 7:21
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

1 John 2:17
And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

1 John 2:4-6
Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

A question / comment -- What Is the will of God? He 'would' that All would come to Him through faith in Jesus Christ. but because of His omniscience He knows that not all Will. And He "would" that we would grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

[PloughBoy]

The will of God for each and everyone of Us!

(1 Thessalonians 4).

3For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. 7For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. 8Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who[a] has also given us His Holy Spirit.