What Do You Think about the Rapture?
~~~Awaiting Christ's Return~~~
What is your belief about a rapture? I've studied it for years and talked to others, and each person with a different belief has shown me through scriptures of how their belief is right, so I still don't know whether to believe in a rapture that comes before the tribulations (pre-trib) or one that comes after the tribulations. (post-trib). I used to think that was a fantasy, because of course people don't think they can bear to go through everything that was predicted...but then I read:
34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
So now I know people will be taken off the earth, and I believe that it will be at the time of his return; because of this verse just above the others:
Luke 17:30 "Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed."
That means 'on the day the Savior shows Himself to us, and returns'. But with the fame of the book & movie series "Left Behind", the popular belief is that the most righteous people will be taken off the earth before the worst of the tribulation, and a few people have quoted me scriptures to make their point, which did make sense. I can't remember those verses, but I remember thinking that many verses could have been taken out of context and mistakenly used to apply to the verses above. I wonder why the Lord would have detailed so completely all the events that will happen in the last days, would have warned us, and told us to watch for those things to come to pass so we will know the time of the second coming is near, if those who love the Lord the most would not even be on earth to see those events, since they would be raptured? He offered us comfort for that time, and told us:
28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Why would he tell us this if those who study the scriptures the most will not even be on earth when it happens?
That's why I think the rapture will be post- tribulation, but I would welcome any comments with scriptural proof that would help me understand why you believe we will be raptured pre-tribulation. Like most people, I hope and wish we could avoid the worst of the events before the second coming. Look at the tribulations so many people in the world are going through now. If they were going to be raptured pre-trib, wouldn't they be gone already? OH NO! That raises another thought! Maybe they WERE already taken and you and I ARE "Left Behind"! haha. COMMENTS WELCOME!!
BLESSINGS,
Your interesting, thought-provoking blog just caught my attention. I believe the safest view is to be prepared for the great tribulation (in case the rapture doesn't happen first) than not be prepared (and then find outselves in the g.t.). One huge shock is for internet surfers to run into journalist/historian Dave MacPherson's articles on the long-covered-up history of the pretrib rapture view which he has uncovered - history he has focused on for several decades while researching in libraries in Britain etc. His articles on Google etc. include "Famous Rapture Watchers" (a catchy title proving that all pre-1830 Christian leaders were NOT pretrib), "Pretrib Rapture Diehards" (highlights of its shocking development), "Letter from Mrs. Billy Graham," "Pretrib Hypocrisy," "Pretrib Rapture Desperados," "Appendix F: Thou Shalt Not Steal," "Revisers of Pretrib Rapture History," "X-Raying Margaret," "Thomas Ice (Bloopers)," "The Rapture Index (Mad Theology)," "Wily Jeffrey," "Deceiving and Being Deceived," and "Scholars Weigh My Research" (what other scholars think of his research). His No. 1 bestselling book on all this is "The Rapture Plot" (300 pages costing about $15.00 at Armageddon Books online). MacPherson's grandfather, BTW, was born and raised on Cape Breton Island, NS, and was for 25 years the director of the famous New York City Tent Evangel ministry which featured all the leading Christians of the day including Moody, Sankey, Scofield, Bryan, Torrey, etc. You know, folks can argue theology until Doomsday. But can history be argued the same way? Either the earliest "rapture" documents exist or they don't, but MacPherson has found all the crucial pieces in the puzzle and they certainly don't flatter the Johnny-come-lately pretrib view! Lord bless you as you are led by our Saviour Jesus. Beverly
(PS - Several pretrib defenders are almost insanely angry with MacPherson for unveiling the incredible amount of dishonesty he has found in pretrib circles since its birth in Scotland in 1830!)
Anonymous said... Sun Sept 28, 03:15:00 pm GMT-6
Thanks Beverly, thats a huge amount of info in a small space, so I see that you are a rapture watcher too. I agree...be prepared for the worst but hope for the best. Benjamin Franklin said "If I always think the worst will happen, then I am pleasantly surprised when it turns out well. When I think only positively, I am often bitterly disapppointed." lol.
Blessings,
Bluebirdy
Bluebirdy said... Sun Sept 28, 05:13:00 pm GMT-6
i haven't done any research about this but ever since i've known about the second coming, what i know is that rapture would come before tribulation. i may be wrong though. but now that you've mentioned it, i am now interested in finding out. yesterday i've watched a documentary about 666. coincidence? i don't think so. one thing is for sure, i'll definitely see you in heaven.. =D
Anonymous said... Sun Sept 28, 07:18:00 pm GMT-6
Hi Shiela,
I believe in the rapture of the church because it is written in the Bible. It is the bride with no wrinkles, no blemish nor stain. I believe this will happen before the great tribulation as promised by Christ to the church of Philadelphia in the Book of Revelation. Anyway, the rapture is different from the second coming of Christ for His great millenial reign. There goes the confusion among Christian believers. The rapture is not the same as the second coming. He will spare His church from the great tribulation that will come to the world. During the tribulation proper, the 144,000 elects, mostly converted Jews, will preach the Gospel and will suffer martyrdom because of the word. These He will bring back to life during His one thousand year reign on earth to serve as priests and ministers with Him. Satan will be chained and there will be peace and gladness on the earth for a thousand years. After that, Satan will be unchained and he will wage war against Jesus Christ and the saints at Armageddon where he will be vanquished and thrown to the lake of fire with his minions and followers. There are three distinct and different events here. The rapture of the church, the second coming and millenial reign of Jesus Christ and the final battle at Armageddon where Satan will be defeated and thrown to the lake of fire together with his minions and followers. Thanks for the controversial post. God bless you always my sister in Christ.
Mel Avila Alarilla said... Sun Sept 28, 08:43:00 pm GMT-6
I actually find the typical rapture discussion to be too much "us versus them", with "them" being those who do not believe a narrow view of theology. I do not think God approves of damnation and retribution and wholesale destruction of whole groups of people. That is Old Testament talk -- Jesus came to show us the God he knew who was forgiving like a wise and loving parent.
Yes said... Mon Sept 29, 07:54:00 pm GMT-6
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