MZTV 1217: Must Elijah be Resurrected Before Our Snatching Away?

There is yet another whacko theory circulating among the saints, namely, that there will be a 700-year pre-millennial kingdom called the "Day of Christ," at which time "the restoration of all things," spoken of by the prophets and by Peter at Pentecost (Acts 3:21) dazzles the inhabitants of earth with resurrected Israelites and, most importantly, a newly disentombed Elijah (yes, the famous prophet) resets the boundaries of Israel (he has 490 years in which to do it) and makes sure that all the resurrected Israelites know which tribe they belong to so that fathers can be reconciled with sons. An additional feature of this "day of Christ" is that Nebuchadnezzar is raised from the dead to attend to some administrational details that only he can attend to, and all the nations will finally flock to the light of Israel—all this BEFORE the snatching away and BEFORE the second coming of Christ; BEFORE the thousand-years even begins. So goes the theory.

A fellow-believer asked me to comment on this because a friend of his has been disturbed by the theory, thinking that the snatching away is now at least 700 years into the future because Elijah has to return in accord with prophesies and, well, "I guess we're all going to die." This WOULD be the case if, indeed, this THEORY were true, but as this theory is whimsical fiction rivaling an Aesop fable or the Wizard of Oz, my friend's friend can re-engage with the expectation given him by his apostle (Paul ) in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17.

As far as I can tell, this theory originated with Otis Sellers. I am quoting today from another proponent of the theory, Tom Ballinger, who is being quoted by Clyde Pilkington in Bible Student's Notebook—Mr Pilkington being the latest champion (and happy to be so) of the 700-year pre-millennial kingdom that puts the snatching away of the body of Christ way, way, WAY down the road.

This fable dovetails with the Acts 28 theory in that it puts off the return of Christ and makes family life "front and center" for believers. There is no more snatching away, no more daily expectation of immortality and glory, no more looking for the return of Christ in one's lifetime. So just get married, have a bunch of kids, and buy your burial plot.

It is my opinion that these tall tales suit the needs of those who really don't wan't Christ to return in their lifetimes due to a love of the current eon and an overwrought emotional tie to family.

And so will you please allow me to dispose of this theory using the Word of God? It'll only take about 40 minutes. Thank you.

ZWTF - “SECONDHAND SALVATION” Can mortal humans become members of Christ’s body without belief in Christ?: http://www.martinzender.com/ZWTF/ZWTF3.19.pdf

MP3: http://martinzender.com/MZTV/MZTV1217_Must_Elijah_be_Resurrected_Before_Our_Snatching_Away.mp3

Martin's homepage: https://www.martinzender.com