IN ADAM, ALL DIE!

I have received a great deal of response to my blog on the Rapture being both a death and a resurrection.  Unfortunately, not all of it has been civil.  It seems that many minds (an hearts) are opposed to any discussion of Bible doctrines that they have determined to be "off limits."  Oddly, they seem okay with discussing the Rapture with those who are Pre-Tribulation Rapturists, Post-Tribulation Rapturists, Mid-Tribulation Rapturists, and even No-Rapturists, but I have somehow stepped over the line.  Nevertheless, I will try, once again, to show why I believe the Rapture is a combination of a death and a resurrection.

"But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first-fruits of them that slept.  For since by man (Adam) came death, by man (Jesus) came also the resurrection of the dead.  For as in Adam ALL DIE, even so in Christ shall ALL be made alive (one cannot be "made alive" unless one was not alive).  But every man in his own order: Christ the first-fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at His coming" (1 Cor. 15:20-23).

"But some man will say, How are the dead raised up?  And with what body do they come?  Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:  and that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:  but God giveth it a body as it hath pleased Him, and to every seed his own body....So also is the resurrection of the dead.  It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:  it is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:  it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body.  There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body" (1 Cor. 15:35-38; 42-44).

Some suggested that my quoting Hebrews 9:27 as being all-encompassing, is wrong.  They pointed out that some died more than once (Jairus' daughter; the widow's son; Lazarus; etc.).  However, they only died once and are remained dead.  Perhaps we should understand "it is appointed unto men once to die" as "all men die at least once."  Then too, some pointed out that Enoch and Elijah did not die.  To that, my response is that in order for the teaching that ALL DIE to be true, the "two witnesses" of Revelation 11:3-12 are Enoch and Elijah.  We know the Jews still believe that Elijah will return, and they set a place for him at table every Passover (Mal. 4:5; Mt. 11:14).

One's salvation is not determined by any of this.  Salvation is by believing that Jesus died for our sins according to the Scriptures; that He was buried; and that He was raised from the dead as King of kings and Lord of lords (Rom. 10:9-10; 1 Cor. 15:1-4; Eph. 2:8-9)!