We see the claims of God' inspired men at times that they are telling the Truth (Romans 9:1 ; 2 Corinthians 11:31 ; Galatians 1:20 ; 1 Timothy 2:7). It would seem that they would not need to make such claims, but perhaps their assertions were so different from the average man's thoughts until he had to press for such assurance. Also, believers are commanded to "lie not" to one another for lying is a mark of the sin nature (Colossians 3:9).

It seems that envy and strife are marked by lying against the Truth (James 3:14). How unbecoming of a believer is this, since "no lie is of the truth" (1 John 2:21). God cannot lie and He warns that liars are in for severe judgment (Revelation 3:9; Revelation 21:27; Revelation 22:15). The Word tells us that there are some who will lie in the name of the Lord (Zechariah 13:3). Such was a false prophet, to be sure, and the judgment he had to face was most severe.

There are warnings in the Scriptures concerning liars in the last days, some being such as departed from the faith and giving heed to seducing spirits (1 Timothy 4:1, 2). Is it possible that one who is saved could do such a thing? Yes! We need to realize that one's having trusted the Lord at one time does not prevent his committing any sin that a lost man would commit. Safety from such actions comes by a consistent prayer life and commitment to the Word of God.

Would such a person go on in religious activity? He not only may but likely will. One can become so hardened in heart that he will lie, believe a lie, and strive to get others to believe his lies, thinking that he does God service (John 16:2). Every conceivable wickedness has been done and may be done by one who is sincere and who feels he is doing God's service.

How frequently will such teachers point a finger at those who preach or teach differently from themselves, or one whom they have come to dislike for some reason, and harshly condemn him! It has become evident to me that when one is warning others against a brother it is often possible or even likely that such will lie. If they know what they are saying is false it is a lie. He may make a mistake or an error and it is not the same as a lie but is still serious, for he should have investigated so that he knew he was telling the truth.

In this we see the situation when a preacher tells something on another preacher which is false. He may think it is true, but he did not investigate. This is more than a mistake; it becomes a lie if he could have learned it was false but told it for the truth. It seems to me that the charges by which one is accused of having new light or being a "newlighter" comes under this head. If a person is named and the report is false, so that damage is done to that person, the one spreading the report should have been more careful in his name calling. As we grow older and gain experience in such matters it becomes more serious for us to make such mistakes, lest the mistake be a lie.

Some of us confess to having preached a false opinion and then changing our view. We were led by older brethren to take a position which later proved to be error. Simple honesty requires that we quit preaching the false Idea.

Let me illustrate: I once preached a pre-tribulation rapture of all the saints. A majority of Baptists, I suspect, still preach this, just as many once and a few still preach a post millennial coming of Christ. The study of the Word, now somewhat easier to understand in such prophetic areas, shows that these ideas were error. We did not lie when we preached any of these things, but now that we find that God's Word does not teach such things we would be liars if we now preached them. Perhaps it would be wise until we have assurance on a subject just to abstain from presenting an opinion. But as soon as we have assurance we owe it to people and especially to the Lord to tell them the Truth.

It is obvious that there will be a rapture, a catching up of some to meet the Lord in the air. The time may be more difficult to determine. Further, some of us have satisfied our minds that just because one has trusted Jesus as Savior is no proof that he will be in this rapture. Being worthy of the resurrection and rapture hinges on a continuing faith, a loving of the Lord's appearing. How many think so little of it until their minds seldom think of it! They have no such hope of being like Him at that time so they do not purify themselves as He is pure (1 John 3:3).

Some even smite their fellow-servants with words if not with clubs and risk being cut off when the Lord comes (Matthew 24:48-51; Luke 12:45-48), being denied many privileges which others will enjoy. Thus would I conclude that not all who have believed in Jesus as Savior will be raptured when He comes. Besides, John said that he saw those who sit on thrones (reign with Christ), including those who died for their faith during the tribulation, specifically because they refused to take the mark of the beast, and these lived (were resurrected), and reigned.

"THE REST OF THE DEAD" LIVED NOT AGAIN UNTIL THE THOUSAND YEARS WERE FINISHED" (Revelation 20:5). Thus did they miss the first resurrection. Also, Paul indicated a special yearning and striving to make him able to attain the first resurrection (Philippians 3:10, 11).

Thus it seems evident that there will be a rapture but not of all the saved, and it will not be before the tribulation, but at the sounding of the seventh (or last) trumpet of Revelation 11:15-18. Just being honest with the Word of God becomes very important. Our position in the kingdom to come depends on such honesty and its consequent faithfulness in our lives.

Are you ready for the rapture? Being ready calls for more than just being saved. Do you love His appearing? Do you dare to think as the flippant song which said, "Wait just a little longer, please, Jesus," because certain ones were not saved. Our selfish sense of values need some radical adjustment. Are you one of those who think that the Lord's coming will suddenly fix everything?