PS News-397

#397:
THE COMING METAMORPHOSIS
TRANSLATION OF THE SAINTS
Bride of Christ Rapture Metaphor

Is there a message in the metamorphosis of the butterfly?
Is the possible prophetic implications tied to the order of changes?
Does the transformation of the butterfly speak to the Rapture?

by Luis B. Vega
for PostScripts News (PSN) | www.PostScripts.org
EMAIL: vegapost@hotmail.com

The purpose of this study is to illustrate the metamorphosis process of the butterfly and compare that to the transformation that is occurring throughout the Church Age. The parallel is striking as the wonder of nature consists of 7 overall stages a butterfly goes through to be transformed. It is an amazing picture of what the Creator, YHVH has willed in demonstrating this plan and purpose in more than that natural level. There are 4 main phases of the life cycle of a butterfly. The 1st stage starts with the egg. It is usually attached on a leaf or close to plants that will later become food for the caterpillar. The 2nd stage involves the caterpillar phase whereby it grows to its full measure. The 3rd stage is when the caterpillar sheds its skin and starts the process of Chrysalis by becoming a Pupa. It remains in this cocoon state throughout a winter. The last stage involves the breaking of the Chrysalis. This phase is where the transformation or metamorphosis occurs. The butterfly then emerges with wings with the ability to fly.

In the language of the Bible, this same apparent type of change or transformation also to the spiritual metamorphosis that is described in similar language of a Disciple of Christ Jesus. It is also presented as a mystery not disclosed before or up to that time. In other words, the understanding of this amazing spiritual process that would ultimately be fulfilled by the Rapture event was not readily comprehended fully in the Old Testament economy. This revelation was primarily given to the Apostle Paul that this mystery and doctrine of the resurrection and rapture of the Bride was to be presented to Christ Jesus. Astonishing, this mystery of the metamorphosis spoke to the Gentiles. The Bible describes the start of this Mystery Age or time of what presently constitutes the Church Age. It is characterized by a time where salvation is bestowed by grace through faith alone and not of works. There are ‘works’ prepared by Christ Jesus for the Church to enter and partake thereafter as James teaches and the other Apostles. But salvation presently is not contingent upon a Temple Sacrificial Ordinance nor Priesthood.

These qualifications where fulfilled by Jesus Christ in their requirements at the Cross of Calvary. This time since the first Pentecost at the Temple was where GOD the Holy Spirit came to indwell and seal a Believer and Disciple of Jesus forever. This alone is monumental in distinguishing the type of Age, where faith, grace and mercy are experienced by Humanity. It is lavished by Christ Jesus as no other time had nor will occur. For example, it is a special time where the Priesthood of Believers allows direct access to the very Throne of YHVH. Like the metamorphosis of the butterfly, the same principle was, is and will be applied to all the true Believers and Followers of Jesus Christ until the end of the process, the Rapture. This transformation of the Church of Jesus on Earth involves the Justification, Sanctification, and Glorification of the Saints.

This overarching process has been provided to ensure that the Bride of Christ will one day be extracted from the process of such a transformation and/or metamorphosis that GOD the Holy Spirit is presently working-out corporately and individually within His Church Body. For example, although Believers and Followers of Jesus have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, anyone alive in the physical body still has what the Bible calls, the Olde Sin Nature. Meaning that one is susceptible to sin and thus the need to commune with Christ to continually confess and repent of sin, etc. To others, this process is called, the Walk of Faith that involves a willful striving to reach spiritual maturity and holiness.

This was after all the aim and goal of the Apostle Paul in presenting the Gospel to the Gentiles; of a pure and spotless Bride, metaphorically. Prophetically, one can make the historical case that the 7 Churches of Asia have been a blueprint of sorts, of this spiritual transformation process much like the butterfly. The 7 Churches chronical an echo of where the Church Body is at, mature-wise and in the stages of their respective developments. Such a template, can also be spiritually applied to individuals within the Body of Christ that is also likened to a building, a bride as in a women, etc.

In utilizing the metaphor of the ‘Mystery of the Metamorphosis’, the point is that as it relates to the Rapture event, one day this process and transformation of the Bride of Christ will reach its fulfillment and maturity, spiritually. It will be at that time that the current lowly and humble condition of the Church Body that to the world would otherwise appear ‘Chrysalis’ or ‘dead’ will be Glorified with indestructible bodied like that of Jesus received after His resurrection and ascension. This will occur at the Resurrection and Rapture event, as the Bride flies away to be united with Jesus in the clouds. This is much like a butterfly that breaks from its seemly humble and innate Pupa state of being. The following are several points of definition and Scripture that attest to the Rapture metaphor of the coming metamorphosis translations of the Saints at the end of the present Church Age.

Met·a·mor·pho·sis
The word metamorphosis derives from Greek μεταμόρφωσις, to mean transformation as in transforming from μετα- (meta-). It is to change and μορφή (morphe), form. It is the process of transformation from an immature form to an adult form in two or more distinct stages. It is a change of the form or nature of a thing or person into a completely different one, by natural or supernatural means. It is a process by which a conspicuous and relatively abrupt change in the body structure occurs through growth and differentiation.

                                            THE 7-FOLD CHURCH AGE TRANSFORMATION PROCESS
       |----------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------|
                               ANCIENT                                       MEDIEVAL                                                 MODERN
AD 30    100   200   300   400   500    600    700    800    900    1000    1100    1200    1300    1400    1500    1600    1700   1800 1900 2000

       1              2            3                    4                        5           6             7
EPHESUS           SMYRNA        PERGAMUM                        THYATIRA                                 SARDIS           PHILADELPHIA         LAODICEA
Apostolic           Persecuted        Compromised                       Legal                                       Dead                 Missionary              Apostate
EGG                                            PUPA                                                 ADULT

Victory Over Death
‘Now I declare to you, Brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of GOD, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I tell you a Mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed [metamorphosized] - in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the Last Trumpet. For the Trumpet will sound, the Dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

For the perishable must be clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come to pass: Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of Death is sin, and the power of sin is the Law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!’ -1 Corinthians 15:50-57

You Must Be Born Again
‘Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from GOD, for no one can do these Signs that you do unless GOD is with him. Jesus answered him, of a truth, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of GOD.

Nicodemus said to him, how can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born? Jesus answered, of a truth, I say to you, unless one is born of Water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of GOD That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, you must be born again…

Nicodemus said to him, how can these things be? Jesus answered him, you are the Teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? Of a truth, I say to you, we speak of what We know, and bear witness to what We have seen, but you do not receive Our Testimony. If I have told you Earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you Heavenly things? No one has ascended into Heaven except He who descended from Heaven, the Son of Man. And as Moses lifted up the Serpent in the Wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him may have Eternal Life.’ –John 3:3-15

You Must be Transformed
‘Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed [metamorphosized] by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you.’ -Romans 12:1-3
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Main Sources
BibleGateway.com
Wikipedia.com

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