Hank and the rapture!

[Guest power2u]

I know alot of persons really trust Hank Hanegraaf her so I would like to know what they think of his pretist views?

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/livin...10161835.htm?1c

Rapture theory source of apocalyptic dispute

BY IRA J. HADNOT

The Dallas Morning News

What if the Rapture has already happened?

What if Revelation's prophecies have been fulfilled?

These questions are unthinkable for those Christians who believe that the end of the world is, well, still to come -- and that it will unfold in accordance with apocalyptic interpretations of the Book of Revelation: the Rapture, the sudden snatching up of millions of the faithful into heaven, followed by the seven-year Tribulation, during which the world is ruled by the Antichrist, followed by the return of Jesus and his triumph in the battle of Armageddon.

That's more or less the story line hewed to in the phenomenally popular Left Behind series. Now, however, Tyndale House, the Christian publisher of Left Behind, is planning a new fictional series with a very different view -- one that posits that Revelation actually tells the story (in code) of the first-century persecution of Christians and of the fall of the Jewish Temple.

Tyndale officials say they're simply presenting different sides of an important theological issue.

But the Rev. Tim LaHaye, co-author of the Left Behind books, called the decision by his publisher ''stunning and disappointing'' and said he felt betrayed. ''They are going to take the money we made for them and promote this nonsense,'' he said.

The co-author of the new series, obviously, disagrees. ''I am elated with Tyndale's support,'' said Hank Hanegraaff, the host of a syndicated call-in radio show, The Bible Answer Man.

The first book in the new series, written with Sigmund Brouwer, is The Last Disciple. Additional volumes are planned.

The decision to publish two different -- some would say competing -- apocalyptic series was made by Ron Beers, senior vice president of Tyndale, which is based in Wheaton, Ill.

''As a Christian publisher, we want to represent a diversity of viewpoints,'' said Beers. ``There is nothing strange about Tyndale selling both views. There are a variety of perspectives on the end times. Some people had a problem with the theology in the Left Behind books.''

SERIES A SUCCESS

Beers was the Tyndale executive who purchased the Left Behind series and saw it grow, over nine years, into a sales empire rivaling those built by John Grisham, Tom Clancy and J.K. Rowling.

The 12 Left Behind books have sold about 42 million copies, counting paperback and hardcover sales. When children's editions, graphic novels and the like are counted, the figure is 62 million. There are also spinoff products, from calendars and music CDs to greeting cards and computer software.

The most recent book in the series, Glorious Appearing, was supposed to have been the 12th and final installment. But already, at least four sequels or prequels are planned.

LaHaye is a former Southern California pastor. Hanegraaff heads a Christian research institute based in Southern California.

From their comments about each other's work, it seems unlikely that the two men will be exchanging signed copies of their books.

''I don't know what science fiction he is reading,'' said LaHaye. ``We believe the Rapture is going to come, not his nonsense that Christ came back in 68 A.D.''

''I am reading the Bible, specifically Revelations it was written for first-century Christians,'' retorted Hanegraaff. ``I am not relying on some wooden, literal interpretation that is unsupportable.''

The Last Disciple, the first of at least three books planned, depicts the Roman emperor, Nero, as ''the beast.'' In the book, Christians in Rome and Jerusalem are suffering through the Tribulation. Nero is trying to find the Apostle John's letter (the Book of Revelation) and destroy it. To survive, the early Christians must decipher a mysterious code. (The code for Nero's name is the number 666, regarded by many as the mark of the Antichrist.)

AMBIGUITY COMMON

But scholars of eschatology, the branch of theology dealing with the end of the world, note that biblical references to the end times are almost always ambiguous, highly symbolic and subject to widely varying interpretations.

''The Bible, in particular the Revelation of John, is open to many dramatic readings,'' said Harvey Cox, a professor at Harvard Divinity School.

``Unfortunately, some are merely a paste-up of what the Bible actually says, a pulling from various passages to craft a theology that the bulk of New Testament scholars do not support.''

He said Revelation ''was a polemic against the corruption, debauchery and greed of the Roman Empire'' and that it was ``meant to be an encouragement for the people who were living under persecution.

The book is dense with symbols, visionary images and descriptions that seem allegorical, such as the lamb with seven horns and seven eyes, believed to represent Jesus. John ''had to write it in code,'' Cox said, ``because it was circulating around and might have fallen into the hands of the emperor.''

The professor said the Left Behind series is based on the notion of ''premillennialism'' or ''dispensationalism,'' which he said is ``the belief that the world is getting worse and worse, and that Christ will come to get the Christians, the born-again Christians.''

This helps explain the series' popularity, he said. ``You can look at the world these days and see the kind of killing that has gone on for a century now. . . . Who would not believe things are getting worse? We have had a Holocaust, wars, massacres.

Edited November 28, 2004 by power2u

[Leonard]

Can't stand to listen to Hank, but if he's preterist he can't be all bad....

[Guest shiloh357]

The problem is that Revelation is not meant to be a stand alone book regarding the endtimes. In fact, I think many people misuse the book. Revelation is about victory. The Bible is the greatest success story in the universe. It shows that God is control and that just as we can have faith that God is odering the events of the end-times, we can, with all assurance of faith, put our lives in His hands and let Him direct our paths and order our steps.

Preterism is not as widely accepted, and I think Tyndale is making a big mistake. Not too many people will not buy into it.

[Guest hubertdorm]

I love how ironic all of Lahaye's comments are about this new series.

I don't know what science fiction he is reading...We believe the Rapture is going to come, not his nonsense that Christ came back in 68 A.D.

I think preterism is just as valid as pre-tribulation rapture. That isn't saying much. Too bad Lahaye felt loyalty from a publishing company. Obviously, money has nothing to do with it.

As far as preterism, I don't believe the scriptures suggest it.

[ted]

The decision to publish two different -- some would say competing -- apocalyptic series was made by Ron Beers, senior vice president of Tyndale, which is based in Wheaton, Ill.

''As a Christian publisher, we want to represent a diversity of viewpoints,'' said Beers. ``There is nothing strange about Tyndale selling both views. There are a variety of perspectives on the end times. Some people had a problem with the theology in the Left Behind books.''

In other words, "We can make money off of any side of the issues".

Kind of like what John Kerry would be like in corporate form.

t.

[IreneM]

having read all the left behind book and knowing that there are parts that are not scritpual Tim has no business calling the kettle black regarding science fiction lol!!!

The left behind is finction based upon the bible but there are parts that are not factual and yes it has brought many to Christ and I am not Tims judge but as long as all know that both sets of books are or will be finction a good read is a good read.

In Christ

IreneM

[Sola Scriptora]

Dear power2U;

A lot of people DON'T trust Hank the heretic Hanegraff. He attacks everything and everyone. He is also a hypocrite who lives in a big, expensive house while chiding prosperity preachers. He does not believe in all the Bible says, just the parts that suit his vain mind. He has slandered thousands of ministers, and moves of God around the world. He even had the gall to speak against the ministry and teachings Charles Finney! The man is arrogant.

Edited December 2, 2004 by Sola Scriptora

[followerofjesus]

Regardless which is true the judgement remains the same for all peoples.

[Sola Scriptora]

Because Hank has been off on many things, and spoken against many good men and women, and opposed true moves of God, like Pensacola dand Toronto, and because he has told lies and hardened his heart, he is prone to go off into more error. He will be a complete heretic before his days end, unless he repents. God owes him no truth, seeing he is reckless and merciless towards millions of other believers. His books are full of twisted lies about others. His doctrine is way off. He couldn't shine Finney's shoes, but maybe one day, God will make him do it.

[IreneM]

I find hank a strange person on some issues. As to what is a cult as to what is gospel as to what is Docrtine, as to who is a christian.........

I will not touch the issue of toronto or Pensacola........

(God forbid I offend someone)

I will admit that he does know the bible or he has fast bible researchers.......

I used to listen to him alot but grew tired of his phoney answers on some issues........

In Christ

IreneM