The Rapture

[Guest koppen]

I was wondering if we have to go through the tribulation? I was needing clarity....

Thanks in advance for your responses

[Big Steve]

I wonder the same thing Kelli.

I think I mentioned I read the Left Behind series, all 12 books. The belief of the people who wrote the series is that we are raptured before the tribulation. I just finished a book called The Truth Behind Left Behind, in which this author uses scripture to back up the belief in a Pre-Tribulation Rapture.

I have learned though, that many people dis-agree with this interpretation. This subject gets pretty heated at times. Many people even say these authors are false prophets, trying to mislead people into thinking they will have another chance if they miss the rapture, so there is no hurry to be saved.

I don't know enough to debate this. However, I don't think they are intentionally misleading people to wait before coming to Christ. Reading their novels, which another Christian friend talked me into doing after much persuasion, was the first step I took, and look where it lead me!

I'm interested in what others have to say on this also.

[Orr v'emet]

I don't know enough about this subject to give a response but I wanted to direct you to the eschatology forum. There are some threads about different views on the rapture. Good luck!

[Guest koppen]

I wonder the same thing Kelli.

I think I mentioned I read the Left Behind series, all 12 books. The belief of the people who wrote the series is that we are raptured before the tribulation. I just finished a book called The Truth Behind Left Behind, in which this author uses scripture to back up the belief in a Pre-Tribulation Rapture.

I have learned though, that many people dis-agree with this interpretation. This subject gets pretty heated at times. Many people even say these authors are false prophets, trying to mislead people into thinking they will have another chance if they miss the rapture, so there is no hurry to be saved.

I don't know enough to debate this. However, I don't think they are intentionally misleading people to wait before coming to Christ. Reading their novels, which another Christian friend talked me into doing after much persuasion, was the first step I took, and look where it lead me!

I'm interested in what others have to say on this also.

I too have come across people who disagree with the rapture before the tribulation...I have ALWAYS been taught that we would go in the rapture before it... I just wanted to hear both sides so that I can see ALL of the scripture to support both sides of this subject....I am open to hear both sides.

God Bless

Kelli

[dwinkjr]

I don't know enough about this subject to give a response but I wanted to direct you to the eschatology forum. There are some threads about different views on the rapture. Good luck!

Yep there is a thread there with "evidence" or Support for each of hte different theologies on the topic. Understand there are differing opinions on this so you will want to prayerfully examine them all and let the Holy Spirit guide you too the truth.

God Bless,

Dave

[Guest koppen]

I don't know enough about this subject to give a response but I wanted to direct you to the eschatology forum.  There are some threads about different views on the rapture.  Good luck! 

Yep there is a thread there with "evidence" or Support for each of hte different theologies on the topic. Understand there are differing opinions on this so you will want to prayerfully examine them all and let the Holy Spirit guide you too the truth.

God Bless,

Dave

Oh ok... and thank you for the advice you gave...I know there are so many different opinions and beliefs here...LOL... I know what I have been taught but I am seeking what others believe...

[georgesbluegirl]

Ah yes, Left Behind, that lovely series that engendered MORE anti-Catholicism by making the Pope the Antichrist's henchman. Thanks for that, Tim and Jerry. Then again, Tim LaHaye does say that we "Papists" preach a false Gospel and wrong sense of spirituality. Thanks for being so open-minded.

Thought I'd post my feelings about Revelations, but I found a good summary on the USCCB (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops) site. I'll post the link and the article below.

Revelation

Introduction

The Apocalypse, or Revelation to John, the last book of the Bible, is one of the most difficult to understand because it abounds in unfamiliar and extravagant symbolism, which at best appears unusual to the modern reader. Symbolic language, however, is one of the chief characteristics of apocalyptic literature, of which this book is an outstanding example. Such literature enjoyed wide popularity in both Jewish and Christian circles from ca. 200 B.C. to A.D. 200.

This book contains an account of visions in symbolic and allegorical language borrowed extensively from the Old Testament, especially Ezekiel, Zechariah, and Daniel. Whether or not these visions were real experiences of the author or simply literary conventions employed by him is an open question.

This much, however, is certain: symbolic descriptions are not to be taken as literal descriptions, nor is the symbolism meant to be pictured realistically. One would find it difficult and repulsive to visualize a lamb with seven horns and seven eyes; yet Jesus Christ is described in precisely such words (Rev 5:6). The author used these images to suggest Christ's universal (seven) power (horns) and knowledge (eyes). A significant feature of apocalyptic writing is the use of symbolic colors, metals, garments (Rev 1:13-16; 3:18; 4:4; 6:1-8; 17:4; 19:8), and numbers (four signifies the world, six imperfection, seven totality or perfection, twelve Israel's tribes or the apostles, one thousand immensity). Finally the vindictive language in the book (Rev 6:9-10; 18:1-19:4) is also to be understood symbolically and not literally. The cries for vengeance on the lips of Christian martyrs that sound so harsh are in fact literary devices the author employed to evoke in the reader and hearer a feeling of horror for apostasy and rebellion that will be severely punished by God.

The lurid descriptions of the punishment of Jezebel (Rev 2:22) and of the destruction of the great harlot, Babylon (Rev 16:9-19:2),are likewise literary devices. The metaphor of Babylon as harlot would be wrongly construed if interpreted literally. On the other hand, the stylized figure of the woman clothed with the sun (Rev 12:1-6), depicting the New Israel, may seem to be a negative stereotype. It is necessary to look beyond the literal meaning to see that these images mean to convey a sense of God's wrath at sin in the former case and trust in God's providential care over the church in the latter.

The Book of Revelation cannot be adequately understood except against the historical background that occasioned its writing. Like Daniel and other apocalypses, it was composed as resistance literature to meet a crisis. The book itself suggests that the crisis was ruthless persecution of the early church by the Roman authorities; the harlot Babylon symbolizes pagan Rome, the city on seven hills (17, 9). The book is, then, an exhortation and admonition to Christians of the first century to stand firm in the faith and to avoid compromise with paganism, despite the threat of adversity and martyrdom; they are to await patiently the fulfillment of God's mighty promises. The triumph of God in the world of men and women remains a mystery, to be accepted in faith and longed for in hope. It is a triumph that unfolded in the history of Jesus of Nazareth and continues to unfold in the history of the individual Christian who follows the way of the cross, even, if necessary, to a martyr's death.

Though the perspective is eschatological--ultimate salvation and victory are said to take place at the end of the present age when Christ will come in glory at the parousia--the book presents the decisive struggle of Christ and his followers against Satan and his cohorts as already over. Christ's overwhelming defeat of the kingdom of Satan ushered in the everlasting reign of God (Rev 11:15; 12:10). Even the forces of evil unwittingly carry out the divine plan (Rev 17:17), for God is the sovereign Lord of history.

The Book of Revelation had its origin in a time of crisis, but it remains valid and meaningful for Christians of all time. In the face of apparently insuperable evil, either from within or from without, all Christians are called to trust in Jesus' promise, "Behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20). Those who remain steadfast in their faith and confidence in the risen Lord need have no fear. Suffering, persecution, even death by martyrdom, though remaining impenetrable mysteries of evil, do not comprise an absurd dead end. No matter what adversity or sacrifice Christians may endure, they will in the end triumph over Satan and his forces because of their fidelity to Christ the victor. This is the enduring message of the book; it is a message of hope and consolation and challenge for all who dare to believe.

The author of the book calls himself John (Rev 1:1, 4, 9; 22:8), who because of his Christian faith has been exiled to the rocky island of Patmos, a Roman penal colony. Although he never claims to be John the apostle, whose name is attached to the fourth gospel, he was so identified by several of the early church Fathers, including Justin, Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, Cyprian, and Hippolytus. This identification, however, was denied by other Fathers, including Denis of Alexandria, Eusebius of Caesarea, Cyril of Jerusalem, Gregory Nazianzen, and John Chrysostom. Indeed, vocabulary, grammar, and style make it doubtful that the book could have been put into its present form by the same person(s) responsible for the fourth gospel. Nevertheless, there are definite linguistic and theological affinities between the two books. The tone of the letters to the seven churches (Rev 1:4-3:22) is indicative of the great authority the author enjoyed over the Christian communities in Asia. It is possible, therefore, that he was a disciple of John the apostle, who is traditionally associated with that part of the world. The date of the book in its present form is probably near the end of the reign of Domitian (A.D. 81-96), a fierce persecutor of the Christians.

Link here

I've also heard it taught as hidden account of what would happen when God punished the Romans for persecuting the Christians.

[ginakay]

The Left Behind series woke a lot of people up to the reality of "end times" even if the scenario was, necessarily, imaginative.

[gypc]

1 Corinthians 15:52in 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.

The last trumpet is the last trumpet!!!!! Get ready, were goin through but God is faithful!

In his love,

Brian

[ayin jade]

Whether it is pre, mid or post, I pray that I can continue to follow the Lord faithfully, and if necessary, die as Stephen did, with my face heavenward seeing God's glory, and not caring about death. I trust in Him to see me through.