The Rapture

[trukinlady]

I've been doing a lot of research on the Rapture, and I find there are many differing beliefs about when it will happen, even among Christians. I'm starting this thread in hopes that our members here in Christian Vapers (CV) can discuss it thoroughly. If there are any non CV members who would like to post in this thread, you are welcome to do so--but I ask that you please respect our beliefs, as we respect yours.


Thoughts anyone??

 

[Saintscruiser]

Ahhhhhhhhhh................one of my favorite subjects! I believe in the rapture (even though that word does not appear in Scripture). The word rapture is derived from the word rapio, which means a snatching away. Do I believe in THE rapture.....YES I DO!!! I am a pre-tribulationist like Dr. Billy Graham. My reasons are as follows:

(1) In the awesome book of Revelation, the first 3 chapters mention 'the church.' It's not mentioned again until the last chapters. Why? We're not here. Yeah!

(2) What Bridegroom unleashes wrath upon the bride at their wedding supper? The tribulation period will be so horrific that Scripture states no one has ever experienced anything as awful as this on earth....ever.

(3) Each saved soul has the Resident of the Holy Spirit. Think of all the saved people on this earth and the power from within by the Holy Spirit. satan can't start his reign being hindered by the force of the Holy Spirit present on earth. The Holy Spirit has to be removed by Almighty God so that satan can move freely. He is very present on earth today.....all you have to do is look at the news or a newspaper. The expression, 'all hell will break lose,' is a perfect portrait of what is to come.

(4) This is the last week of Daniel's prophecy of the 70th week, which will be the fulfillment of the Hebrew clock, not the gentile clock. The era of the gentile will come to a close. The church era stops and the Jewish clock starts up again. That is not to say that many gentiles won't get saved during the 7 year period.

(5) God marks 12,000 descendants from each tribe of Israel, meaning there will be 144,000 Jewish Billy Grahams evangelizing the world. God has not forgotten His chosen people nor forgotten His promise to them.

Am I secure in my beliefs based on Scripture? You bet your bippy I do! Do I know when it will happen? Only God the Father knows the day and hour. Don't take my word on it.....do your own search! I get so worked up almost having a spell every time I talk about it.

 

[HarmonyPB]

Thanks for all the references Saintscruiser!

My personal take on it is that no matter what I believe it's going to happen the way it happens. So, for conversation sake I believe that the rapture will happen before the tribulation. I partly believe what I do because that's the way I hope it happens! The tribulation does not sound like something I want to go through!! But whenever and however it happens, I believe I'm ready!

Sorry, not very in-depth. Just thought I'd add my

 

[beartard]

"But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow about his promise as some count slowness, but is forbearing toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. . . . Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of persons ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be kindled and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire! But according to his promise we wait for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you wait for these, be zealous to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace" (2 Pet. 3:8–14)

Most teachings about "The Rapture" with all its debated timelines for tribulation, millennium, etc. are fairly new teachings in the Christian world, most dating back only to the 1800s and the rise of the Fundamentalist movement. I take a more traditional Christian view of the end times. Just as the Bible is not to be taken as a literal history book (we'd be in bad shape if that were true) I don't think it's a literal prophetic checklist for our collective future, either. So until my end time, I will trust the redemptive work at Calvary and "work out my own salvation with fear and trembling," as Paul said.