2.1 Examples of Jesus telling about the wicked being taken and the righteous left: 3
2.2 Examples of Jesus saying that the taken ones are devoured 4
2.3 Four Examples of wicked taken 'out' of the earth and destroyed and righteous 'remain' 4
2.4 The Elect (believers) are in the Tribulation because the days must be shortened for them. 4
2.5 No MidTrib Rapture (how else believers see these things after the tribulation) 5

3.1 Psalms teach the wicked are removed and the righteous stay (opposite of the Rapture): 5
3.2 Proverbs teach the wicked are removed and the righteous stay (opposite of the Rapture): 6
3.3 Chaff removed and righteous remain in Job and Malachi and Isaiah 6
3.4 The wrath of God comes on the wicked while the righteous are on the earth not after they have been raptured 7

4.1 Examples where believers were not raptured out of trial/testing but learned to be overcomers 8

5.1 This is the only scripture that even suggests the believers will be caught up from the earth. 9
5.2 We should not establish doctrine on one single scripture (this is a violation of a Biblical Principle) 9
5.3 What does "Caught up" Mean ? 9
5.3.1 Hapazo = Caught up 9
5.4 What does meet the Lord "in the air" mean? 10
5.5 What does "with them(the resurrected saints) in the clouds" mean ? 12
5.6 Review 1 Thess 4:13-18 as a whole: 12
5.7 A Spiritual Interpretation of 1 Thess 4:16,17 from Dave Curtis+Donald Hochner's web sites 13
5.8 A Spiritual Interpretation of "the gathering together" from Don Preston's Web site 14
5.9 Thessalonians themselves did not interpret the rapture passage to be a rapture passage (Summary of Notes from Don Preston's Web site) 16

12.1 Notes after discussions w/ Todd Dennis on what the Transformation is in 1 Corinthians 15:51 which is the same as the gathering in Thess 4:16,17 23
12.2 Notes on 1 Thess 4:16,17 from the Book "The Rapture A Question of Timing" by William Kimball 23
12.3 Non Rapture comment from "He shall Have Dominion" by Kenneth Gentry p 312 25
12.4 Comments on two body Resurrection scriptures (from a discussions w/ Todd Dennis and Ward Fenly) 25
12.5 A few scriptures indicating a spiritual resurrection 25
12.6 Table from Internet that shows Matt 24 and 1 Thess 4:16,17 are about the same event (not 2 different events separated by thousands of years). 27
12.7 A few Questions to answer if there was a rapture 28

13 Some Websites on the Rapture: 28

b)If the Rapture were a real thing there would be many scriptures on it. (Instead there is only one ( 1 Thess 4:16) and it is very vague due to similarity to Matth24:30.)

 

1)"A sudden removal of all true Biblical believers in a rapture would certainly be a most sepctacular event (sign) to both those departing and those who remain on the earth. Therefore, we would expect Jesus to include such an event (sign) in his prophetic answeres to the questions about the "end of this age" and "His coming." There would certainly be no point in His disguising or hiding such and important thing, after all, why would Christians have to know much about the end of time and the "great tribulation" if we are not going to be here?

2)Jesus chose specifically to not pray for a rapture

a)Matt 24:37-40"But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.38 "For as in the days before the flood, they(the wicked) were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark(Noah and family entered the ark 7 days before the flood),39 "and (they – the wicked) did not know until the flood came and took them ( the wicked) all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.40"Then two men will be in the field: one(wicked) will be taken and the other left. 41 "Two women will be grinding at the mill: one(wicked) will be taken and the other left.42"Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.(NKJ)

b)Luke 17:26-27"And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man:

27"They(the wicked) ate, they(the wicked) drank, they (the wicked) married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them(the wicked) all. Luke 17:34-37 "I tell you, in that night there will be two men in one bed: the one will be taken and the other will be left.35 "Two women will be grinding together: the one(the wicked) will be taken(destroyed) and the other left.36"Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken (destroyed ) and the other left."37 And they answered and said to Him, "Where, Lord?" So He said to them, "Wherever the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together."(NKJ)

1) Matth 13:24- 30 Parable of wheat and tares (Matth 13:37-43 Interpretation)

Matt 13:37-43 He answered and said to them: "He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 "The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. 39 "The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels. 40 "Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. 41 "The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, 42"and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43"Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!(NKJ)

1)Luke 17:28-30"Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; 29 "but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. 30 "Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.(NKJ)

1) Mark 13:19-20"For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. 20"And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days. (also Matth 24:21)(NKJ)

a)Luke 18:7 "And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?(NKJ)

b)Rom 8:33 Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.(NKJ)

c)Col 3:12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;(NKJ)

d)Titus 1:1Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness,(NKJ)

e)The elect are not Jewish evangelists but all believers

2) (Why shorten the Tribulation days for the 'elect' if the believers are raptured away from it. The believers are in the tribulation, that is why it must be shortened for them.)

1) Matt 24:29-34 "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31"And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

32 "Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.33 "So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near-- at the doors!34 "Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.

(NKJ)

a)how could believers see all these things if they were raptured in the middle of the tribulation

2) John 17:15 "I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.(NKJ)

3) Matt 24:13 "But he who endures to the end shall be saved.(NKJ) ( so believers in tribulation till the end)

b)John 10:35"If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken),

c)2 Tim 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine,

d)Matt 22:29Jesus answered and said to them, "You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures (the OT)

e)Rom 15:4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.(NKJ)

f)1 Cor 10:11 Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come.(NKJ)

g)Acts 3:24"Yes, and all the prophets, from Samuel and those who follow, as many as have spoken, have also foretold these days.(NKJ)

h)Acts 26:22 "Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come--(NKJ)

i)Luke 24:44 Then He said to them, "These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me."(NKJ)

j)Acts 20:27 "For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. (not just 1 vrs in NT)

 

a) Ezek 9:4-10 and the LORD said to him, "Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done within it."5To the others He said in my hearing, "Go after him through the city and kill; do not let your eye spare, nor have any pity. 6 "Utterly slay old and young men, maidens and little children and women; but do not come near anyone on whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary." So they began with the elders who were before the temple. 7 Then He said to them, "Defile the temple, and fill the courts with the slain. Go out!" And they went out and killed in the city.8 So it was, that while they were killing them, I was left alone; and I fell on my face and cried out, and said, "Ah, Lord GOD! Will You destroy all the remnant of Israel in pouring out Your fury on Jerusalem?"9 Then He said to me, "The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great, and the land is full of bloodshed, and the city full of perversity; for they say, 'The LORD has forsaken the land, and the LORD does not see!'10 "And as for Me also, My eye will neither spare, nor will I have pity, but I will recompense their deeds on their own head."

b) Rev 9:3-4 Then out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth. And to them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.4 They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.

c) those who do not have the mark of God on their foreheads are destroyed while they are still among those who do have God's mark.

1 Cor 10:11 Now all these things(testings) happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come.

1)Job was not raptured out of his testing

2)Joseph not raptured out of Pit or Prison (Gen 37-46)

3)Daniel not raptured out of Lions Den (Dan 6:7-28)

4)King David overcame much tribulation and was rewarded in the world

5)Israelites were kept safe during 10 pagues and were examples to the Egyptians

6)Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego went through the furnace and were overcomers and examples

g)God saved them from the furnace He did not rapture them out of it. They were a witness to Babylon.

7) Jesus and the Apostles were overcomes and examples not raptured out. (Paul 2 Cor 11:23-27 Trials)

Rev 12:11 "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. (not rapured out)

b)God's men were not removed from the battlefield – they were victorious

1Thes 4:16-17 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

a)the common interpretation of 'being caught up' is in direct contradiction to some 50 scriptures

b)John 10: 35 The scriptures cannot be broken + 1 Cor 14:33 God is not the author of confusion

c)Therefore there must be something wrong with the common interpretation of 1 Thess 4:17

d)The word rapture does not appear in any Bible

a) Gen 41:32 "And the dream was repeated to Pharaoh twice because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.

a)Deut 17:6"Whoever is deserving of death shall be put to death on the testimony of two or three witnesses; he shall not be put to death on the testimony of one witness.

b)2 Cor 13:1 This will be the third time I am coming to you. "By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established."

5.3 What does "Caught up" Mean ?

a) caught = harpazo = to take for oneself to prefer or choose

a)Strongs: 726 harpazo (har-pad'-zo); from a derivative of 138; to sieze (in various applications):

KJV-- catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force).

b)Thayers: 726 harpazo

1) to seize, to carry off by force

2) to seize on, to claim for oneself eagerly

3) to snatch out or to snatch away

b)None of the below 12 scriptures containing "harpazo" have anything to do with the physical removal of living people from the earth/world to heaven

Harpazo = Catch

1) John 10:12 "But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches(Harpazo) the sheep and scatters them.

a) air = aer

1)Thayers 109 aer-

a) the air, particularly the lower and denser air as distinguished from the higher and rarer air

b) the atmospheric region

2) Strongs 109 aer (ah-ayr');

from aemi (to breathe unconsciously, i.e. respire; by analogy, to blow); "air" (as naturally

circumambient):

KJV-- air. Compare 5594. ***. atha. See 3134.

1)Acts 22:23 Then, as they cried out and tore off their clothes and threw dust into the air(aer),

2)1 Cor 9:26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air(aer).

3)1 Cor 14:9 So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air(aer).

c)There is another Greek word which is translated, air. It is 'ouranos' and it means:

air = ouranas

1)Strongs: 3772 ouranos (oo-ran-os');

perhaps from the same as 3735 (through the idea of elevation); the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specifically, the Gospel (Christianity):

KJV-- air, heaven ([-ly]), sky.

2) Thayers 3772 ouranos-

1) the vaulted expanse of the sky with all things visible in it

a) the universe, the world

d) 'ouranos' appears in the following scriptures where 'air' is in bold type:

In the following scriptures the divine cloud came down to earth

1)Matt 17:5While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!" (also Mark 9:7, Luke 9:344)

2) 1 Cor 10:1-3Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud (must have come down)and in the sea, all ate the same spiritual food,

3) Heb 11:36-12:2 Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented 38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, 40 God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us. CHAPTER 12 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses(the spirits of departed saints), let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

1Thes 4:13-18 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep(this scripture is primarily about the departed/dead saints in Christ), lest you sorrow as others who have no hope(the Sadducees did not believe in a resurrection). 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so (in like manner) God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain(on earth) until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven( Acts 1:11 Jesus went directly from earth to heaven and shall return "in like manner" directly from heaven to earth. No rapture back to heaven for a later third coming) with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise(Greek word, anistemi: to set up or be resurrected) first. 17 Then we who are alive( 1 Cor 15:51 "We shall not all die, but shall be changed/transformed/transfigured" ) and remain ( on the earth in the aer)shall be caught up (made one –harpazo) together (at the same time) with them (the dead in Christ) in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air (on the surface of the earth). And thus we shall always be with the Lord ( in the air(aer) here on earth ).18 Therefore comfort(reassure) one another with these words. (Notice, the Lord "descended form heaven" before we are caught up to him; just as the "New Jerusalem" came down to dwell with us – Rev 21:2).

The Saints stay on the earth

4.Exodus 12:21-29 Moses instruct the Israelites to take a hyssop branch and dip it in the blood of a sacrificed Lamb and 'Mark' their doorposts with theis blood, so that the destroying angel of the Lord will not harm them.

John 14:2-3 "In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

a) Jesus said he will come to us not we will go to him

c b) House (Gk = oika )

d1)used 111 times and is translated 5 different ways: home(5), house(102), household or family (3), temple (1)

e2) Strongs: 3614 oikia (oy-kee'-ah);

ffrom 3624; properly, residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally or figuratively); by implication a family (especially domestics):

g

hc) Manisions (Gk = mone )

1)used 119 times and is translated 14 different ways. It is translated mansion only 1 time. By far the most consistent translation is abide/abode(60x), (Mone appears 5 x in this chapter and is translated manison invers 2, dwelling 2x nf verses 10 and 17 and abode in verse 23.

2) from Thayers: 3438 mone-

a staying, an abiding, a dwelling, an abode

to make one's abode

metaphorically, used of God (the Holy Spirit) who indwells believers

d) The phrase "that where I am, there you may be also"

1)The word 'there' is not in the original Greek (i.e., the there is not there)

e) A more accurate , consistent and understandable translation might read as follows:

"In my Father's abode there are many enduring (permanent) abodes: if it were not so, I would have told ;you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you into Myself; that where I am you may be also."

f) In the context of this chapter and other scriptures what we are being told is: (John 14:1,2,23)

"In my Father's dwelling place there are many dwelling places (vrs 1,2); I fit were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a (dwelling) place for you (among My Father's many dwelling places). (After I have prepared a place for you) I will come again,"(vrs 23), "We (My Father and I) will come unto him and make our abode with him(dwelling place)"

1)Notice,They come to us. We do not go to them.

2)Also, Jesus prays, John 17:21-24 "that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.22 "And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 "I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. 24 "Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

c)Physically Jesus was standing on the earth, spiritually he and his Father were just as Jesus prayed we shall also be one, here on earth

d)Col 1:27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

e)II Th 1:10 when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed. .. II Th 1:12that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

f)1 Pet 5:4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

g)Ward Fenly has an article called "Rapture, Light, and Glory" that has more detail on this issue.

g) Summary: Jesus comes to us and lives in us , we do not go to him( John 14:3,18,23)

Luke 21:36 "Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man."

a)worthy (Gk = axios means deserving or merit)

b)Rev 3:4-5"You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. 5"He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

c) worthy ones must overcome - overcomers go through not fly away

d)Rev 12: 11 overcome by blood of lamb+ testimony ,Rev 5:2-9 No one but Jesus is worthy to open the book,

a)Jesus said Matt 24:37 "But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be."

2)Jesus said it would be as the days of Noah not as the days of Enoch and Elijah

3)In the days of Noah the wicked were removed and the righteous taken

d) Enoch (Gen 5:24) and Elijah(2 Kings 2:11) were not removed because some tribulation was upon them, rather, God chose to end their lives on earth in this manner. Enoch was an example that he pleased God (Heb 11:5) he was not an example for the Church to be raptured.

II Th 2:5-8 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 6 And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.

a)For people to be saved after the tribulation the Holy Spirit and believers must still be around:

2)John 16:8 "And when He(the Holy Spirit) has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

3) Rom 10:14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?

d) The He who now restrains was:

5)Claudious Caesar preventing Nero(the man of sin) from coming to the throne

6)The man of sin himself(Nero) restraining the church and was himself taken out of the way

a)2 Thess 2:1-3 the day of Christ's coming and our gathering together to him could not take place until after the man of sin would be revealed. Therefore the church could not be taken away before he is revealed (because Christ's coming and our gathering is after the man of sin is revealed)

b)Paul was careful not to mention the restraint by name when writing to the Thessalonians ( so not name Rome Caeser which would prevent the circulation of the letter). If the Holy Spirit was doing the restraining he would have no reason to not mention this.

a)Luke 11:2 So He said to them, "When you pray, say: our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

b)There is a new heaven and new earth wherein dwells righteousness

c)Rev 21:1,5 The new Jerusalem is coming down (to earth) not us going up.

d)Rev 5:9-10And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, And have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth."

e)The rapture was not the blessed hope rather Titus 2:13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

f)God is more interested in getting heaven into us than getting us into heaven

g)Look for the appearing of Christ not the disappearing of the saints

 

4)Note: Lev 23:41-44 You shall keep it as a feast to the LORD for seven days in the year. It shall be a statute forever in your generations. You shall celebrate it in the seventh month. 42 'You shall dwell in booths for seven days. All who are native Israelites shall dwell in booths,43 'that your generations may know that I made the children of Israel dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.' " 44 So Moses declared to the children of Israel the feasts of the LORD.

1)This chapter refutes the following doctrines

a)When the Messiah comes he will re-establish the geographical political nation of Israel

b) The so called gap in Daniel's 70 weeks

c) The temple must be rebuilt in Jerusalem before Jesus returns

1) The main point being that the consistent theme of scriptures is for Christians to be overcomers and not be raptured out of tribulation. I left this out because it does not refute the rapture idea with scripture.

1) This is not a physical Rapture because our physical bodies do not go to heaven only our spiritual body

ca) 1 Cor 15:44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

db) 1 Cor 15:50Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.

ec) The Transformation = Redemption = salvation (not just a positional change). When we were born again it was more than just a positional change. When people in this generation confess to Jesus Christ and are initially born again they are transformed the same way as the early church was when they were born again for the first time.

"Peter urges the perseverance of his readers(1Pet1:6) and warns against shortsightedness(1:9). It is only through long-term perseverance that we may expect access to the eternal kingdom of Jesus Christ(1:11)

Peter expects to die soon (1:13-14; as did Paul, 2 Tim4:6-8). Consequently, he urges his readers to recall these things after he is gone(1:15), apparently not expecting a rapture of the Church in A.D. 70.

a)'our' is plural, 'body' is singular. If this was talking about our physical bodies it should say "transform our lowly bodies".

b)Same comments as for Philip 3:20