Glad to hear it.
Yeah he mentions it in Matthew 24, but it's interesting in that he says, "immediately after the tribulation of 'those days'" (i.e. the Great Tribulation such as never was before nor ever will be).
I think they'd argue that the "secret rapture" isn't technically a return of Jesus, but more so that the saints go to Jesus and then later, after the tribulation and wrath he comes back down for the battle of Armageddon and that will be the 2nd coming. It's still inconsistent with what the scriptures teach, though.
This one bothers me as well, because it's an indication of a hard hearted spirit in that the church can only be recognized by that one word. Revelation 11:2 says the "Holy city will be tread underfoot for 42 months" which just happens to coincide with references to the AC fighting against the saints for 42 months (from Daniel). We understand that God does not live in building made with hands and that we, the believers are the temple of God. Of course the church is still there.
Good assessment.
A lot of people confuse tribulation and wrath. We all experience tribulation; it's meant to help us grow. But wrath is specifically directed at the enemies of God.
Excellent point. Noah wasn't miraculously taken out of danger. He was only saved because he listened to God and worked hard.
I think this is another fantastic point, even more so for the Mark of the Beast. The reasoning I've heard so far goes like this, "I believe I won't be around for the Mark; I'll be raptured. That means if a time comes that I won't be able to buy/sell without some kind of "mark" on my hand (or forehead) then there won't be any problem. It obviously can't be the Mark since I will be raptured before that happens".
I think this is at least one of the reasonings that will lead many, many Christians to taking the Mark.
Anyway, I enjoyed reading your post. Thanks for sharing those thoughts.
