my reply is to the hard truth. yes you are absolutely correct ,jesus did go to the grave for three days,not some blazing inferno.

Nice blog here about recognizing the importance of the Holy Spirit to help understand the Bible. I just want to add to the statement "it is written that we are to pray with the Holy Spirit". The scripture actually says pray TO RECEIVE the Holy Spirit. Check out our study on the Holy Spirit for more information on what the Holy Spirit is and why we should pray TO RECEIVE IT.

Acts 8:14-15 (ASV)
14Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John,

15who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.

John 7:39 (KJV)
39(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost (Spirit) was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

the bible is both literal and figurative. The Holy Spirit is one that will reveal the truths in the bible as well as on the earth. That is why it is written that we are to pray with the Holy Spirit for it knows and gives wisdom.

The 144,000 are resurrected in two parts: 1) those who died before Jesus Christ's coming are resurrected first (read Revelation 6:9-11), and 2) those who remain on the earth and prophesy through the 3 1/2 years are resurrected at the end of the 3 1/2 years (read Revelation 11). Also read Revelation 20:4-6.

The 144,000 are chosen of those who lived from the time of Jesus Christ forward in time, which includes the last ~2008 years. They receive the new testament that Jesus brought. Two testaments (covenants, promises) exist - 1) the first (Old) testament gave mankind who obeyed God the opportunity to live on the earth forever (the promise made to Abraham and his descendants), and 2) the second (New) testament that Jesus brought where 144,000 of mankind who obey Jesus Christ and God can inherit the heavens - to rule with Jesus Christ for the 1000 years and beyond. The new testament was sealed with Jesus' blood (read 1 Corinthians 11:25).

We are on a timeline. The resurrection of the many others who will live on the renewed earth happens at the 7th trumpet (read Revelation 11:15-18). This resurrection occurs before the 1000 years begins.

I just want to clear up a few things. First of all, there is no rapture. There will only be 144,000 who will be ressurected at the time Jesus appears in the clouds on the last day of tribulation. These 144,000 are those who
God has specifically called out during the last 6000 years of man's self rule. They are to help Jesus teach the survivor of the tribulation how to live under God's law. This will be during the Millenial reign of Christ on Earth!! No one will escape the 3 1/2 years of tribulation! It is time we stop following these false doctrines and accept the truth. After the 1000 year reign of Christ, there will be a final ressurection of everyone who ever lived. Everyone in that ressurection will then be given an opportunity to accept God's government and his way of life. Then and only then, provided we accept God's way of life, will be granted salvation and the gift of eternal life. Currently, the dead are dead. No one has gone to Hell or Heaven. Actually, Hell simply means the grave. The only man to go on to Heaven after death is Jesus Christ himself. The final tribulation is coming quickly, and everyone better accept the fact that there is no easy way out by way of rapture. Jesus is coming here, not the other way around!

My apologies as well, I have deleted my comment from the site.

I'm sorry you misunderstood.
In sister donna's reply(posted 8-4), that person stated no one is going to heaven.
Thats why I stated, Yahweh has prepared a place for us.

No one is going to heaven?
John 14:2, "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."
Praise Yahweh

To clarify: There are 144,000 saints who will be resurrected. Some are resurrected at the 5th Seal (Revelation 6:9-11), they are told to wait until their fellow brethren are killed. Who are these fellow brethren? Revelation 11:1-12 describes a group of individuals who are killed and resurrected after completing 1260 days of prophecy. Therefore, since we know only the saints, or 144,000 go to heaven, this group that is resurrected after 1260 days must also be saints. So, some saints are in heaven at Jesus Christ's return, and some saints are on the earth and must be killed at the end of the 1260 days as described in Revelation 11:12, Daniel 7:25-27.
If you would like further discussion on this subject matter, perhaps a separate study session could be held at your convenience. Thank you for your thorough response.

In your article you stated that the apostles and many others were persecuted and killed and that they were given white robes so they could live in heaven. In the next paragraph you say that when Christ returns he's going to shout and the saints dead in Christ shall rise. How can you be a saint in heaven and dead at the same time? You can't, this is false doctrine that Satan devised to fool the whole world. Most people believe that we are going to heaven as even you teach. The only want wanting to go to heaven is Satan because that's where he resided before he was cast out. The kingdom will be established on earth, think about it you recite the Lord's prayer everyday and don't even understand what you are saying. "Our Father, which art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom COME, thy will be done IN earth as it is in heaven. People please if you don't do anything else research this fervently. The dead are dead and no one is going to heaven. I have so much more to say but won't take up all the space.