SEPARATION (godswordtooyou.com revashelton@aol.com)

"Preparation for the tribulations that will come upon the world as the end time approaches".

It is my opinion that the popular teaching [with many variations] that the

“Church” will be “Raptured ” out of this world before this event occurs is misleading.
1 Cor 7:29-31; But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.
2 Cor 6:17-18 "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty".

Many Preachers and Bible Teachers have "misquoted" and taken out of context this Scripture for ages past. The text begins in verse # 14; 2 Cor 6:14-16

“ Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people".Paul wrote in his first letter to Corinth in chapter 7:29-31

That the time is short: It remains that those that have wives as though they had none. As those that weep as if they had not wept and as those who are rich in possessions as though they possessed nothing. And those that “use this world” [To borrow from and use for personal benefit; and using it to the full.] as not abusing it. [without expecting to pay the debt] For the fashion [The style or manner of life; the visible “adorning” world S# 2889 kosmos]. of this world will pass away. Read Ecc. 12:1-7, Isa. 24:1-5 and James 4:13-17. (Cont. Pg2)

It has not been many years past that Husbands were "heads of the household" and wives were "keepers at home". Eph. 5: 23 and Titus 2: 5-6.

Then the " desire to be like others" in the neighborhood, crept in and women found jobs; Then this required a baby sitter and a second car to get to work. And soon they found they hadn't helped their financial situation. Then they decide to take special courses in trade schools to improve their opportunities for better jobs.

This takes them (loving mothers) away from home and family; They loose the romance of the marriage and arguments develop that requires marriage counseling that take more money from the “piggy bank”. There is less time and money for home and family vacations. Next they decide to miss church to have “family time”; this results in “growing cold” spiritually and the vicious circle continues.

Jesus in his Olivet message in Matt. 24: Matt 24:21-22; “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened".

To be "yoked yoked together" is a term used by "dirt farmers" that use oxen or horse stock to pull a plow. Two animals wear a yoke across their shoulders to hook a chain to that connects to the plow to till the ground. The pair must be about the same size and their "gait"[length of steps] must match or the plow will not go straight. In the same manner people that are united in marriage, work positions or in Christian labor must be in agreement for their union to be successful. Each party of the marriage must enjoy the same lifestyle and at the same time understand the personality of the other. Each member of the union must also be tolerant of the others family and friends and their lifestyle; including religion. There can be no true fellowship between Christians and pagans. Or even of different Christian organizations if either party is dogmatic concerning their beliefs. It is as being in a dark room and a light is turned on; the room is not dark any more. The same principle applies with the Christian life; you can't be righteous and unrighteous at the same time.

The term “Be ye separate” S# 873 means “to set apart by boundary” to exclude or be different.

In 2nd. Cor. 6:15-18; The question is asked; What concord [agreement] hath Christ with Belial [the worthless one or Satan] or what part has a believer [one with faith in Jesus] with an infidel? [an unbeliever] Or what agreement has the Temple of God with idols?

The answer is obvious there can be no idol set in the Temple on Mt. Zion.

Next Paul states; “You are the Temple of the living God”; as God hath said; I will dwell with them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people”.

In verse # 16; "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty"

Paul is saying that the Christian is commanded to separate themselves from those who are partakers of the works of darkness of this world.
Matt 5:14-16

"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven".

It has been my experience during my 70 plus years being a part of the “Holiness movement”; if a person holds to their principles of Biblical Holiness they will have few problems of separating themselves from past friends that live in open sin. They will feel uncomfortable being in your presence and will withdraw themselves for other interests.

In Matthew 22:36 A lawyer [S# 3544 "an expert in the Law of Moses] ask Jesus a question to tempt him;

"Master [teacher] which is the great commandment in the Law? Jesus answered him with; "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with thy soul and with all thy mind". This requires knowing God by having his Spirit living within the Soul. This is accomplished by the act of "The washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost". Titus 3:5, Psa. 51:10, Rom. 12:2, 1st. Cor. 6:11, Eph. 5:26, Col. 3:10 and 1st. Pet. 3:21.

Eph 2:12-13;

"That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ".

1st. Peter 2:9;

"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light":

The promise of Jesus to this separated people was; "Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Eph. 5:25-27.

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