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56j. Resurrection and the Change – Part 10

18th May 2007 by Arthur Eedle

Part 10. “Meeting the Lord in the Air”

“We who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air.” (1 Thess.4:17)

There are three items in this verse which need some clarification. Let’s start with the last item first – the “Air.”  Are we really expecting to be hoisted aloft into the aerial regions?  I know that many take these words in a very literal way, saying, “Well, it happened like that when the Lord ascended, so why not us?”  This has led to the “Left Behind” series of 16 fictional books by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins, which have become so popular that sales have topped the millions, making the authors extremely rich. In this series, LaHaye and Jenkins suggest a very literal handling of this verse in First Thessalonians, making it seem like a reverse bungee-jump into the sky, leaving behind little bundles of clothes where once people stood. The obvious result of this is untold wreckage and carnage, as those who were in the process of piloting planes, or driving cars, suddenly disappear. One supposes the authors imagine that such a catastrophe would be amusing to the Almighty, but I for one cannot contemplate that this would be the intended meaning of the verse, or that God would be other than grieved at such an evil backlash to His day of resurrection of the saints.

Take the Lord’s ascension. He had been raised from the dead forty days before, and took His disciples to the Mount of Olives, there to say goodie. And yes, He did rise into the air, and yes, He was lost to their sight in the clouds, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that we shall follow suit. I shall try to show why.

“Air” in the Bible is a figure of speech for the Lower Heaven. The whole Bible is an account of Heaven’s dealing with the Earth, and as Heaven is to us invisible, writers have employed figurative language to speak about that which we cannot see. The ancient Hebrews employed a word for Heaven (SHAMAYIM) which scholars think may be DUAL rather than PLURAL. (There is some dispute about this.) In other words “In the beginning God created the Two Heavens and the Earth.” Whether the Dual state of the word is correct or not, the rest of the O.T. bears witness to the fact. Take for example Solomon’s words at the inauguration of the Temple, in which he said, “Will God indeeddwell on the earth? Behold, the heavens and the highest heavens cannot contain Thee.” (1 Kings 8:27)  This two-fold distinction is elsewhere depicted in terms of the Stars (the highest heaven) and the Atmosphere, or Firmament, (the lower heaven.) When Satan fell from heaven, he no longer had access to the Highest Heaven, but had to live in the Lower Heaven. Hence we find Paul saying of Satan that he is “the prince of the power of the air.”(Eph. 2:2)

If Satan is the “prince of aerial authority” then to take this literally would suggest that he only has power over the atmosphere, making it extremely dangerous to all those who use aircraft. But this is not what Paul intended. He was saying in effect, “Satan is the prince who rules at present in the lower heavens.” The seventh angel poured out his bowl of wrath “into the air”, (Rev.16:17) and this must be understood of God dealing finally with the evil powers operating in the lower heaven. Earlier in Revelation 12 we read about Michael and his angels evicting Satan and his angels from this region, down to the earth. It could be that the battle described in chapter 12 is chronologically the moment in chapter 16, when the bowl of wrath is poured out.

Returning now to our verse in First Thessalonians, we are told that we shall rise to meet the Lord in the Air. What can this mean, based on the exposition of the last two paragraphs?  If the air is the Lower Heaven, then, to unlock the figure of speech, we shall be meeting the Lord in that region. Instead of Air being a geographical term, it must be understood as a Dimensional term. God is “in heaven”, but in fact He is with us, around us, all the time. Satan is in the lower heaven, but we know that he interferes with earth’s population continually. This is what we mean by Dimensions. There appear to be three dimensional states, the highest being the state which Solomon called the Highest Heaven. Let us call that 12D. Then there is a dimensional state appropriate to the Lower Heaven, which we can call 8D, and finally the dimension in which we now exist is 4D (because scientists tell us that we live in a four-dimensional state, three of space, and one of time.)

“The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven.” (1 Thess.4:16)  What does this mean?  There is nothing geographical intended here. It is not like some meteorite landing on the earth from outer space. We are being told that the Lord, who normally inhabits the Highest Heavens, comes down dimensionally to the Lower Heaven. Then those of us who are alive and remain are “changed”, so that we can rise dimensionally into the Lower Heavens to meet the Lord. All this can be accomplished right here on the earth without us moving an inch!

The second item needing attention is centred on the word “Clouds”.  “Behold, He comes with clouds, and every eye shall see Him.” (Rev.1:7)  To us, clouds are very much a part of the sky, the air surrounding the earth. Hence they are spiritually and dimensionally connected with the Lower Heaven. It is reasonable therefore to imagine the Lord coming “down” dimensionally, to dwell in His Lower Heaven for a while, “to gather together His elect from one end of heaven to another.” (Matt.24:31) In Psalm 104:3 we read of the Lord, “who makes the clouds His chariot, and who rides on the wings of the wind.” Rich poetic language has necessarily to be used to refer to heavenly activities. In Daniel 7:13 we read that “One like the Son of Man came with the clouds of heaven to the Ancient of Days, and was presented to Him.”  Surely this must refer to the time of change, the time of resurrection, upon which we are now focusing our attention.

The third and last of the items in our verse is the expression “caught up.”  The Greek word used here is HARPAZO, and it is instructive to see how it is used elsewhere. The Lexicon tells us that it means “to seize, or to snatch, either by force against resistance, or where no resistance is offered.”  The former meaning is found in John 6:15. When Jesus perceived that they would come and take Him by force . .”

The latter is found in the following very instructive references, all of which are helpful to our study.

Acts 8:39. “The Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip . . . [who was] found at Azotus.”

2 Cor.12:2 Paul said that he was “caught up to the third heaven (whether in the body or out of the body, I know not.)

2 Cor.12:4  Again Paul said that he was “caught up to Paradise.”

Rev. 12:5  Concerning the woman in this chapter, it is said that “her child was caught up to God.”

Philip experienced a “geographical” change, rather than a “dimensional” change. The Spirit of the Lord transported him some 18 miles. But Paul says that he was caught up, first to the Third Heaven, (The Jews tried to envisage no less than seven heavens) and then Paradise. He says that he had no idea whether this was a bodily experience, or a purely spiritual one. One wonders whether he was in the presence of others at the time, and if so, what they saw. I very much doubt they saw Paul disappear. This was a dimensional experience of a temporary kind, whereas our “change” will be permanent. When John was “in the spirit on the Lord’s day” (Rev.1:10) he heard a great trumpet. He must have been “caught up” like Paul, and being in this temporary state, he was able to hear heavenly trumpets, which we cannot. Finally, the manchild of Revelation 12 is caught up to God and to His throne. Is this a dimensional shift from 4D to 12D, or just to 8D? to use our code. Perhaps we should save any discussion of that for another number.

Putting all these thoughts together, we can say that when the change comes, we shall be granted a new body which is immediately capable of “seeing” into the 8D heavens, where the Lord will have arrived to welcome us. When this happens, every eye (of those changed) will see Him. Those around us will not be aware of this transition, but as time passes, and as we become capable of higher dimensional activities, there will certainly be a recognition that something has happened. This is just a lowly foretaste of greater things ahead, as explained in one of our previous numbers. Bear in mind all that happened to our Lord in His forty days after resurrection, and this will provide a clue to what it will be like for us.

To rise into the air, as at the Lord’s ascension, is therefore not to be considered in this verse. But after the more important dimensional changes have taken place, it will be quite possible for resurrected saints to rise bodily into the air if at any time it might be considered necessary. But that is quite a different matter.

Filed Under: The Wellspring Tagged With: Expository Items

About Arthur Eedle

Arthur was born in 1931, and became a Christian in 1948. At London University he gained a 2nd honours degree in Physics. He went on to get a Teaching Diploma, and throughout his career life taught physics in England, Kenya, and Hong Kong. Coupled with his love of science, he was a keen student of Greek and Hebrew, and gave many lectures on Biblical subjects. Read more

The Wellspring

1. God’s Megaphone

1st September 2001 By Arthur Eedle

2. Suicide

1st October 2001 By Arthur Eedle

3. Petra

12th October 2001 By Arthur Eedle

4. Two different Gods?

20th October 2001 By Arthur Eedle

5. I AM

23rd October 2001 By Arthur Eedle

6. “Not I but Christ”

25th October 2001 By Arthur Eedle

7. How I Love Your Law!

27th October 2001 By Arthur Eedle

8. The Jewish Problem

2nd November 2001 By Arthur Eedle

9. The Evaluation of Coincidence

15th November 2001 By Arthur Eedle

10. Gracious Uncertainty

30th April 2002 By Arthur Eedle

11. Jasper & Sardius

8th May 2002 By Arthur Eedle

12. Antithesis

19th May 2002 By Arthur Eedle

12a. The Essential Role of Free Will in Universal Reconciliation

17th June 2002 By Arthur Eedle

13. The Importance of Earnest

10th August 2002 By Arthur Eedle

14. The Millennium

14th August 2002 By Arthur Eedle

15. Cancer – A Personal Testimony

17th December 2002 By Arthur Eedle

16. C.S.Lewis on the New Year

1st January 2003 By Arthur Eedle

17. Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow

5th January 2003 By Arthur Eedle

18. Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)

12th January 2003 By Arthur Eedle

19. “The Intolerable Compliment”

12th January 2003 By Arthur Eedle

20. The Power and Practice of the Truth

22nd February 2003 By Arthur Eedle

21. The Power and Practice of the Lie

1st March 2003 By Arthur Eedle

22. The Use and Abuse of Power

8th March 2003 By Arthur Eedle

23. What on earth is happening?

29th July 2003 By Arthur Eedle

23a. A reply to “What on earth is happening?”

4th August 2003 By Arthur Eedle

24. Equality

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25. Paul to the “Ephesians”

31st August 2003 By Arthur Eedle

26. Mystery

3rd September 2003 By Arthur Eedle

27. Ephesians 1:15-23

10th September 2003 By Arthur Eedle

28. Ephesians 2:1-10

27th September 2003 By Arthur Eedle

29. Ephesians 2:11-22

6th October 2003 By Arthur Eedle

30. Cain and Abel

19th January 2004 By Arthur Eedle

31. Laying the Foundation of the Lord’s House

1st February 2004 By Arthur Eedle

32. Tomorrow’s Bread

22nd February 2004 By Arthur Eedle

33. Grace Parables

27th February 2004 By Arthur Eedle

34. The Responsibility Factor

5th March 2004 By Arthur Eedle

35a. Our Wilderness Journey. Part 1

13th March 2004 By Arthur Eedle

35b. Our Wilderness Journey. Part 2

14th March 2004 By Arthur Eedle

36. Genetic Modification in the Bible

20th March 2004 By Arthur Eedle

37. Arthur’s Testimony

28th March 2004 By Arthur Eedle

38. Identified with Christ

31st March 2004 By Arthur Eedle

39. It Would Have Been Better…

6th April 2004 By Arthur Eedle

40a. Friday’s Man was nailed upon a Cross

9th April 2004 By Arthur Eedle

40b. Sunday’s Man was nowhere to be found

11th April 2004 By Arthur Eedle

41. Jeremiah’s Cryptogram

11th May 2004 By Arthur Eedle

43. The Gospel of Humanism

14th August 2004 By Arthur Eedle

44. Cosmetic Christianity

5th September 2004 By Arthur Eedle

45. EXPERIENCE versus KNOWLEDGE

6th September 2004 By Arthur Eedle

46. “Just a wearyin’ for you”

13th September 2004 By Arthur Eedle

47. Islam by ex-Muslims

24th September 2004 By Arthur Eedle

48. Six Particular Men

9th April 2006 By Arthur Eedle

49. Ten “Everlasting” wonders in Isaiah

13th April 2006 By Arthur Eedle

50a. Missing the Mark. Part 1

18th April 2006 By Arthur Eedle

50b. Missing the Mark. Part 2

21st April 2006 By Arthur Eedle

51. The Mark of the Beast

29th April 2006 By Arthur Eedle

52. Irreducible Complexity

2nd May 2006 By Arthur Eedle

53. No historical Jesus?

4th July 2006 By Arthur Eedle

54. The Power of God’s Spoken Word

17th March 2007 By Arthur Eedle

55. God’s chosen fast

19th April 2007 By Arthur Eedle

56a. Resurrection and the Change – Part 1

1st May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

56b. Resurrection and the Change – Part 2

7th May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

56c. Resurrection and the Change – Part 3

10th May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

56d. Resurrection and the Change – Part 4

12th May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

56e. Resurrection and the Change – Part 5

13th May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

56f. Resurrection and the Change – Part 6

14th May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

56g. Resurrection and the Change – Part 7

15th May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

56h. Resurrection and the Change – Part 8

16th May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

56i. Resurrection and the Change – Part 9

17th May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

56j. Resurrection and the Change – Part 10

18th May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

56k. Resurrection and the Change – Part 11

21st May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

56l. Resurrection and the Change – Part 12

22nd May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

56m. Resurrection and the Change – Part 13

23rd May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

56n. Resurrection and the Change – Part 14

24th May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

56o. Resurrection and the Change – Part 15

25th May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

56p. Resurrection and the Change – Part 16

27th May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

57a. Before He Comes – Part 1

31st May 2007 By Arthur Eedle

57b. Before He Comes – Part 2

8th June 2007 By Arthur Eedle

57c. Before He Comes – Part 3

10th June 2007 By Arthur Eedle

57d. Before He Comes – Part 4

11th June 2007 By Arthur Eedle

57e. Before He Comes – Part 5

12th June 2007 By Arthur Eedle

57f. Before He Comes – Part 6

13th June 2007 By Arthur Eedle

57g. Before He Comes – Part 7

14th June 2007 By Arthur Eedle

57h. Before He Comes – Part 8

18th June 2007 By Arthur Eedle

57i. Before He Comes – Part 9

19th June 2007 By Arthur Eedle

57j. Before He Comes – Part 10

24th June 2007 By Arthur Eedle

57k. Before He Comes – Part 11

29th June 2007 By Arthur Eedle

57l. Before He Comes – Part 12

30th June 2007 By Arthur Eedle

57m. Before He Comes – Part 13

3rd July 2007 By Arthur Eedle

58. Free Will Versus God’s Sovereignty

28th August 2007 By Arthur Eedle

59. Rules of Engagement

10th October 2007 By Arthur Eedle

60. Cameo. Part 1

15th October 2007 By Arthur Eedle

61. Cameo. Part 2

18th October 2007 By Arthur Eedle

62. Cameo. Part 3

26th October 2007 By Arthur Eedle

63. Cameo. Part 4

28th October 2007 By Arthur Eedle

64. In His Hands

1st November 2007 By Arthur Eedle

65. The Starlings

5th November 2007 By Arthur Eedle

66. “Dead Truth”

13th November 2007 By Arthur Eedle

67. “Dead Sin”

18th November 2007 By Arthur Eedle

68. “Dead Faith” and “Dead Works”

2nd December 2007 By Arthur Eedle

69. “Dead Worship”

18th December 2007 By Arthur Eedle

70. A Pseudo-Bunyan Author

19th March 2008 By Arthur Eedle

Article Series

  • All our Yesterdays (30)
  • Before He comes (13)
  • God's Spoken Word (37)
  • Mysteries of Science & Faith (8)
  • New Series (101)
  • Newsletter (2)
  • Original Series (109)
  • Prophecy considerations (5)
  • Recognising the Hand of Judgment (33)
  • Resurrection and Change (16)
  • Seekers Corner (14)
  • Simple Statements on Serious Subjects (6)
  • The City of God (18)
  • The Millennial Octave (23)
  • The Restitution Times (22)
  • The Song of Solomon (6)
  • The Standard (19)
  • The Wayside Pulpit (107)
  • The Wayside Pulpit 2015 (96)
  • The Wellspring (101)
  • The Wellspring 2017 (55)

Index of Topics

Arthur & Rosalind Eedle's Personal Testimonies Discipleship Expository Items Good and Evil Human Pre-Existance Jane Leade. Philadelphian Numerology in the Bible Quotations from other Authors Resurrection and the Change Ron Wyatt. Archaeology Science Topics The Kingdom of God the Millennium and the Return of Christ The Sabbath Day Universal Reconcilliation

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