As a Christian, do you believe we are close to the Rapture or catching away?

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   Pool Of Thoughtsposted 11 years ago

   As a Christian, do you believe we are close to the Rapture or catching away?

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   dianetrotterposted 11 years ago

   I wouldn't venture a guess.  The thing is to be ready in and out of season.  We could die before the rapture from any number of causes.  Ready is ready whenever.  Until then we should be about our Father's business.

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      CJ Sledgehammerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Indeed. We should put the rapture out of mind and go about our Father's business. :0)

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      Knightheartposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      CJS, I disagree with your comment about putting the Rapture out of our mind.  The Bible clearly states that we are to anticipate His return with great eagerness!  As a Believer, I want Jesus to return and greatly look for that to happen.

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      dianetrotterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Knightheart, that is why I say it might be a matter of semantics.  The Bible does not use the word "rapture" but uses "caught up."  Descriptions are in 1 Corinthians 15 and 2 Thessalonians 4.

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      CJ Sledgehammerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Knightheart: I know you mean well and I am sure you are a wonderful person with a heart for God. Know it or not, whenever you say that Jesus has not yet returned...you are calling Him a liar. He said He was coming "quickly" - not 2,000 years later.

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      Knightheartposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      You are wrong CJS.    Jesus has not returned since it states when He does, the Tribulation period will start.   I doubt God would wait 2000 years to wait for the Seal to be broken.   God's timeline is not ours.  Not here to debate, so farewell..

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      CJ Sledgehammerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Knightheart: In the days prior to the "Great Tribulation" (63-70 A.D.) St. Paul warned not to believe those who said Christ had returned...for the time had not yet come. Nowadays, we have the opposite problem...people who say Christ has not returned.

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   Knightheartposted 11 years ago

   Absolutely, positively, and without a doubt!  The signs foretold in the Bible are right before our very eyes...rampant immorality, sin out of control, mass murder of children and so forth.  I truly believe we are in the end times, waiting for the beginning of God's intervention on an evil world.  To be honest, I am surprised the Rapture hasn't occurred, but God is patient and knows exactly when the time will come when He will act and judge this world at last!  The days of Grace or drawing to a close...God will take care of this exactly at the correct time!  Until then, I pray those that do not believe take a good look around and come to know Jesus before time runs out.  Eternity is at stake and you will be in one of two places...period.  The choice is yours...you will either spend eternity with a loving God in Heaven, or spend eternity in Hell, forever in torment and separated from God.

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      CJ Sledgehammerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Oh, no, David, you went for the "feel good" answer instead of the accurate answer. Bummer. Maybe next time. :0)

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      Knightheartposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      My answer is the TRUE answer...too bad for you!

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      SwordofManticorEposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Lol. another Christian claiming he knows the truth.

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      CJ Sledgehammerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Please take no offense, Knightheart, I was only having a bit of fun. :0)

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   ExpectGreatThingsposted 11 years ago

   We are definitely closer today than we were yesterday

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   Smokes Angelposted 11 years ago

   I think it could be any day at any time... there are many signs of the end times from the Bible that have already been fulfilled. However, only God knows the exact time.  Not even Jesus or the angels do.

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      CJ Sledgehammerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      They do by now, because it already happened. Too bad good Christian people don't study history and do not take Christ's words at face value. People would rather believe Hal Lindsey's time tables than Christ's. Jesus spoke of a 1st century fulfillment

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      Pool Of Thoughtsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      If is already happened CJ, then Paul was a false prophet and miserable comforter to the early church. Read I Thess 4:13-18. You suppose Paul told them to comfort one another with the PAST resurrection at Calvary concerning those that SLEEP?

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      CJ Sledgehammerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Better yet: If Jesus did not actually mean what He said when stating, "Yes, I am coming quickly" and "THIS generation will not pass....", then you have made Him out to be a liar and lunatic. In the same likeness, John must also be a false prophet.

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      Disappearingheadposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Pool you might want to look up the Messianic Age in some Jewish resources. When Jesus and Paul talk about a resurrection at the end of the age, this is it. Isaiah talks a lot about it. But there is no pre-trib rapture or future great tribulation.

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   Dancillaposted 11 years ago

   We are closer than we have been before, but we will never really know when that day will be.  It is only a matter of being ready for that day or what is to come.

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   Pool Of Thoughtsposted 11 years ago

   I say amen. No man knows the day nor the hour. Our duty is to be led by the Spirit and walk in the Light of the Word for our day. Thanks for commenting.
   Blessings,
   David

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      Ms Deeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Amen! The people in 1Thess 5:3 who will be surprised are those in darkness. It is those who "are not in darkness" who will not be surprised,  like a thief (vss 4-5).

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      CJ Sledgehammerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      P.O.T: You're right that we still don't know the day or hour, but we now know the year (66 A.D.). Indeed, our duty is to do the Will of our Heavenly Father, and walk in the light and truth of His Word provided to all generations...not just our own.

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      Pool Of Thoughtsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Here again CJ, Lets just stay with the Word. All that you are saying will not dovetail with the rest of scripture. You can't just throw out portions to make your doctrine fit. Why, the whole hope of the Christian is the coming of the Lord.

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      CJ Sledgehammerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      David: My hope is not in Christ's "Secong Coming"...it is in His resurrection. My faith rests in His unshakable character and the truth of His words, not in my own theology or the misapplication of Biblical prophecy so prevalent in churches today.

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   clara kish@yahoo.posted 11 years ago

   Not of us know how long it will be before God says that  it is enough  and for Gabriel to  blow his horn. We can all look around and see the terrible things in this world today and wonder how long  God will put up  with the evilness in this world . We must be ready  at  all times.

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   expertscolumnposted 11 years ago

   The bible says "No man knows the hour or date" so to conclude that we are close to the rapture is a confident statement.
   
   We do not know when the hour or date is, it could be tommorrow which could be close, or it could be 1000 years from now, which would not be close. In this perspective we arrive at the conclusion, days and seasons do not matter but a heart committed to Christ will keep the fire burning, for when it days happen "in a flash, 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."
   
   Praise God!

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      CJ Sledgehammerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Many Christians, through the years, have witnessed persecution and troubling times and came away thinking that their generation was the last. In the end, they are all wrong. The Great Tribulation has already come and gone.

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      Pool Of Thoughtsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      CJ, That has nothing to do with the catching away. Besides, my Bible says that that day shall not come except there be a falling away first, II Thess 2:3, and that "man" of sin be revealed, the son of perdition. I appreciate your comments.

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      CJ Sledgehammerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      David: For actual insight into Biblical prophecy and true history, please read the works of Josephus. This man was a Jewish priest and military commander. He saw Biblical prophecy being fulfilled right before his eyes. Our generation has no clue.

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      Disappearingheadposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Jesus said that the bad times in Matt 24 would be unmatched by anything before or since. Read up on some historical accounts on the siege of Jerusalem, and the ethnic cleansing of Jews from Israel. The WW2 Holocaust pales in comparison.

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      Pool Of Thoughtsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      CJ, I have Josephus writings. He had no spiritual insight either. He was using all his intellect to try and explain the Christians also. He said they were cannibals that stole Christ's body and ate him (communion).

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      CJ Sledgehammerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      What is so appealing about Josephus is that he was not a Christian...he did not understand their belief's, which make his observations even more credible. If you reread the "Jewish War" focus on what he described about the signs 1-yr before the end.

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      Pool Of Thoughtsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      If death is swallowed up in victory and Satan is cast into the lake of fire, then who is killing all these children and committing some of the most horrible crimes since those mentioned in Foxes Book of the Martyrs?

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      CJ Sledgehammerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      So, is it your understanding that when Christ returns we will experience Heaven on Earth - no more pain, suffering and sin? Christ said His kingdom is not of this world, so why are you expecting to find it here? Lean not unto your own understanding.

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      Pool Of Thoughtsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      CJ Read Rev 11: 15-19  "...The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever."  The wrath of God will strike this world and He will reign in it.  Blessings,
      David

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    Ms Deeposted 11 years ago

    I think the "apostasy" is now rising up (in the Middle East) and so the antichrist will appear to the world soon, per 2Th 2:3. This will necessitate Christ's return, at which time his followers/ servants will be "gathered" and "caught away".

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    Cordelia Bayposted 11 years ago

    The signs of the times points to a yes answer here....however, no one knows the exact time it will happen....that is the reason one should live life preparing for....in the spiritual and living it in the physical.

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    Rev Bruce Jacksonposted 11 years ago

    We are closer to it than we think, brother.

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       CJ Sledgehammerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Really???

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       Pool Of Thoughtsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Amen Rev Jackson!  God bless you!

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    CJ Sledgehammerposted 11 years ago

    Pool:
    
    Your questions for today seem to be quite similar. So, I copied and pasted my previous response to your other question because I think it is even more approprate in this case:
    
    To answer your question...No, we are not close to the "rapture". In fact, we are exactly 1,942 years into the future.
    
    "So...how can this be?"...you may ask.
    
    Well, as a matter of fact, the "rapture" is a rather new concept that has only seen the light of day for about 150 years. It came on the scene at the same time our country was being bombarded with all sorts of heretical sects, false prophets and other delusions. It became very popular in the 70's when Hal Lindsey wrote his novel, "The Late Great Planet Earth."
    
    Interestingly enough, Hal Lindsey has said his greatest regret is that he cannot prove the rapture within Scripture...but he believes it in his heart.
    
    (So, what is the "rapture" about?)
    
    It's all about context.
    
    (So, what requirements must I fulfill to partake in the "rapture"?)
    
    Scripture and history necessitates that you were a Jew that converted to Christianity and recognized the "Abomination of Desolation" surrounding the Holy City of Jerusalem by (Roman) General Cestius Gallus (President of Syria) in the year 66 A.D.
    
    You would also have to have been familiar with the prophecy of Daniel speaking of the coming "Abomination of Desolation" and also familiar with the contemporary message of Luke 21:20-22, (20) "When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. (21) Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. (22) For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written."
    
    The next requirement was to obey the commands given in Scripture and flee to the mountains of Pella. There, you would be safe from the incredible destruction of Israel, Jerusalem, and Judea and the punishment that would befall the Jewish people, who turned their backs on the Almighty, killed His prophets, persecuted His saints, and crucified His only begotten Son.
    
    After 3.5 years of incredible pain and punishment...Jerusalem fell to the Romans and the Temple was burned and destroyed in 70 A.D., without one block resting upon another (Matthew 24:2) thus bringing about the end of the old covenant age and its religion (Judaism).
    
    You now live in "The age to come".

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       Disappearingheadposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Amen.

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       Pool Of Thoughtsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Where in the world would the past destruction of Jerusalem come in to play with the body change, resurrection,and catching away of those in Christ? Who are you listening to that says I'm missing something friend? Blessings,
       David

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       CJ Sledgehammerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       David:
       
       Has it ever occured to you that the "Christian" church has no idea what Jesus was talking about or what the actual fulfillment of these things would look like? Many contemporary "Christian" ideas are wayward at best and heretical at worst.

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       dianetrotterposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Maybe it is a matter of semantics.  Teachers complain about "new" strategies which are old strategies with new names.  What does this mean? 51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 1 Cor 15:51  (space limi

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       CJ Sledgehammerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       David: The destruction of Jerusalem came into play because it was the end of the old covenant age. When Christ returned in 70 A.D., people saw the Heavenly Hosts in the clouds above Jerusalem and Judea. Christ began to reign under the New Covenant.

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       Knightheartposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Anyway, CJS, God bless you.  For me, I am going with the teachings of my church...the Rapture hasn't happened and we are to eagerly await the day Jesus comes as the prophecies detailed in Revelation!    Not here to debate, so will say adieu!

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       SwordofManticorEposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       CJ, we dont agree on alot of things, but you get my thumbs up here. Amen;)

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    Lybrahposted 11 years ago

    Yes.  I wish it were happening right now!

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    Disappearingheadposted 11 years ago

    Oh my Lord, I am amazed that every post here bar CJ's is adamant that this thing called the rapture is real. If a doctrine that didn't exist 200 years ago can become so prevalent, and universally accepted without question so quickly, what other doctrines do we have now that were unknown by the apostles? What apostolic doctrines have been lost  or superseded? How different is Christianity now from the apostolic Church?
    
    People talk about a future apostate time, where people will no longer know sound doctrine; doesn't rapture theory show how easily this can happen? If you believe in a future anti-Christ, mark of the beast, 2nd coming, how do you think you will recognise it when you are not aware that pre-trib rapture is false, even unknown to Paul himself?
    
    Do yourselves a favour and research what you believe aside from what your minister tells you. We have been blessed by the Internet, no information is beyond us, there is no excuse.

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       CJ Sledgehammerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Kevin: I agree with you 100%. Why is it so hard for contemporary "Christians" to accept the truth of God's Word? I think perhaps, they believe in signs and wonders and all the things their eyes can see...instead of truly believing what the Lord said.

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       Pool Of Thoughtsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Disappearinghead, Invite me to a forum so we can talk. You make no sense to me whatsoever.  I base my doctrine on the Truth contained in God's mind, written through inspiration of prophets and apostles. I don't care about history. Its the WORD I see.

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       Disappearingheadposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Without an understanding of history it is impossible to frame prophecy. Everything Jesus said concerning the end times was about the end of Israel and fulfilled by the events between AD65 and AD130.

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       Pool Of Thoughtsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Without revelation you shut yourself off from God. Jesus speaks in the book of Revelation concerning the consummation. If its over, where is the New Heavens, Earth, and Jerusalem and the streets of Gold, and the death of Satan and his demons?

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       CJ Sledgehammerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Revelation was written circa 50 A.D., according to St. Paul. Kevin is right in using the historical perspective to account for the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy. Many Christians don't know history and think everything relates to their generation.

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       Disappearingheadposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       When Christ said "It is Finished" don't you believe him? When he was resurrected, don't you think all things were made as new? New Jerusalem = bride = Church = living stones = people; not an actual city

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       CJ Sledgehammerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Right on, Kevin. Many "Christians" talk about going to the Word of God for direction, but then they do not believe what they are reading. What they believe is the image their brains produce on what these things should look like...according to them.

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       Pool Of Thoughtsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Amen bros. Full redemption, the resurrection, divine healing, and every redemptive blessing, and full restoration was paid for at Calvary.  We're predestinated to victory, but the battle rages. If Satan is bound, then I'm disappointed in eternity.

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       CJ Sledgehammerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Do not be disappointed in eternity, Kevin, but only in your understanding of it. I say this out of brotherly love and not out of pride or arrogance. I think you have a good heart and are a man of God, but you seem to trust your eyes more than truth.

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    SwordofManticorEposted 11 years ago

    Rapture theology is a false belief. Paul never taught it, nor our saviour. Verses from scripture have suffered much by many Christians. A Christian and Jewish history lesson will solve this problem for those who are willing to have an open mind on this topic. I stopped searching the skys for signs once I discovered this.

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       Lybrahposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       I am just curious...if the idea of rapture is not in the bible, who came up with it?  Why do we believe it?

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       SwordofManticorEposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Theologians created it. Their carnal way of thinking and desires through their enterpretation of scripture resulted in a number of false doctrines that the early believers knew nothing of. The rapture being one.

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       Pool Of Thoughtsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Perhaps I should not have posted such a "hot" topic. We could enjoy long hours of scriptural proof and discussion on this but not here. Jesus talked of the catching away in many places, and so did Paul. It's not a mystery to those who have revelation

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       Lybrahposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       So where specifically in the bible does Jesus mention it?  I'd like to look it up.

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       SwordofManticorEposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       @Lybrah. I dont understand your question?
       @Pool, I am in agreement with both Disapearing head and CJ Sledgehammer. Christ's warning about the signs in Matt 24 and 25 happened already AD70 with the destruction of the Jewish religion.

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       CJ Sledgehammerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       I agree, SOM. What doesn't make sense to me is why, God the Father, would send His only begotten Son, Christ Yeshua, and His disciples to preach about an event that would not be seen for another 2,000 years (or longer). It just doesn't add up.

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       Pool Of Thoughtsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Come in here and we will try to help one another. I will not stick around if tempers flare but I can handle bluntness.     http://hubpages.com/forum/topic/108103

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       SwordofManticorEposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       CJ, In Matt 3 John says  "repent, because the Kingdom of God is at hand". At hand? does that not mean any day back then? It sure doesn't mean almost 2000 years later. Btw, what is the Ax in verse 10? Answer is Rome! Root=Jerusalem, tree = Jew.

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       Ms Deeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       SwordofManticorE, as in Luke 17:20-21, Matt. 6:33, Luke 12:31; 13:29 it is not a kingdom of flesh and blood but of spirit-composed immortals, who have been changed from mortal to immortal by the resurrection. Also per 1 Cor. 15:50-53.

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        SwordofManticorEposted 11 years agoin reply to this

        Ms Dee. The kingdom of God is in you and around you. and when we are judged, we will all be judged righteouse. Hint "the adulterous and Heb 1.

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        CJ Sledgehammerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

        David: Maybe it's just me, but I have not seen "any tempers flair". As far as I see it, you have posed a very important question here and the discussion here has been passionate yet amiable. I wish only to communicate...not to dominate. Peace brother

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