Our leaving vs Christ's returning

[Guest LCPGUY]

And what if...........the Rapture is not what YOU THINK it is?

In His Love,

Suzanne

Suzanne,

then I'd obviously have to say I'm wrong. No other option.

But...

I'm NOT :x:

Love yuh sis,

John

[Dad Ernie]

Greetings Nebula,

Acts 1:10-11 - They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "Why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."

So? What's your point? Are we not to be "looking up? for the Lord's 2nd coming?

Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

James 5:8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

A short time ago, it was R.C. Sproul - I believe, that I was listening to, when he made a statement about understanding prophecy. That is, that in order to even begin to understand prophecy, it is necessary that a person be well informed of the rest of scripture, and that is the reason why there are so many divergent opinions of what is to happen - because people have not studied the scriptures sufficiently to begin the tedious process of "hearing" what the spirit is saying to the church.

Aside from his comment, back in '75, I reached a point in my prophetic studies when I felt I had reached a place that I could learn no more, and yet there was so much more that I KNEW was there to understand. I prayed diligently until I got an answer from the Lord, and He told me that first "I must get to know Jesus." I then understood because the scriptures are a REVELATION OF HIM. So until about 1993-4, I left off my study of prophecy. Then I began anew and wow what a difference it made. I still have a lot to learn, don't get me wrong, but I DO know that anyone who presses forward to understand prophecy will be greatly rewarded and blessed.

Blessings,

Dad Ernie

[nebula]

Acts 1:10-11 - They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "Why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."

So? What's your point? Are we not to be "looking up? for the Lord's 2nd coming?

The angels asked (paraphrase), "Why are you staring?"

What does that mean to you?

Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

What is Jesus telling us to look up to? Our being whisked away - or His coming back to establish His reign here on Earth?

James 5:8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

Again, is James encouraging us to look towards our exit off this Earth or Jesus' coming to set His feet on this Earth?

[Dad Ernie]

Greetings Nebula,

How old are you Neb? I have reached, what I consider middle-age, and my bones, joints and the rest of me is telling me I am getting up there. What's even worse is that I have had a long life that is pockmarked with sin. Every day I get up and as soon as my feet touch the floor, I acquire a certain amount of "dust" upon them which let's me know that I need the Lord's cleansing. I can't seem to have a day go by when in some way, I knew I have sinned. Again, I appeal to my "advocate with the Father", for cleansing.

Frankly, I can't wait till I get to that day when "I shall be changed to be like Him." Free from the dust of this earth and free from the trials I feel in my body and free from the sin which abounds all around me. I personally believe that only age can really make one appreciate how wonderful "that day" shall be when we escape this temporary vehicle of a tent and receive a new glorified body.

This is what I look forward to - In God's due time, meaning I don't believe I should try to hurry up my own demise. I will do the work He has given me while here, BUT, I most certainly look forward to and hurry the day of His Coming.

Blessings,

Dad Ernie

[nebula]

Well, I don't mean to downplay the excitement of being with Jesus -

I mean, we should feel that way -

I'm just concerned about what is most important - our comfort or Christ's kingdom?

Again, why are people so obsessed over "When will the rapture take place?" rather than "What can I do to prepare for Christ's return?"

Need I bring up Matthew 25?

[Dad Ernie]

Greetings Nebula,

Again, why are people so obsessed over "When will the rapture take place?" rather than "What can I do to prepare for Christ's return?"

I think primarily due to the "hype" surrounding the FABLE - "Left Behind series". Everyone, even the secular community, sees how bad our conditions are today. The world is in a lot of turmoil and there are so many false prophets abounding that unless one has his "spiritual ears" on, it is difficult to tell the "truth" from the "deception". So many people want to "escape" this world without having to go through any more trials or through the process of death.

I find it so ironic, that the scripture used to base the rapture on, "those who are alive and remain", actually refers to a very small group, a remnant, that have not undergone death by whatever means. I don't know that I will be among that "remnant", and I expect our tribulations to increase to very great proportions (the great tribulation) before I "get outta here."

In that day it shall be very great darkness across the land, and we can see glimpses of it right now with all the aetheists, liberals, abortionists, false prophets and pornography and lust for money. It is no wonder people want to "escape" it. It won't be a fun time, so what gives me solice is this verse:

Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

This tells me, that even if I must die at the hands of the beast, I will still be an "overcomer", and my reward is right around the corner.

Blessings,

Dad Ernie

[cheercoach]

I believe Christ is coming soon, really soon.

I don't know how to live in light of this.

My house is in need of tons of work. - Is it really neccessary?

Two of my kids need braces. - How important is that?

Do I really need to exercize?

This is how I feel lately. I have no desire to do anything. Everything (having to do with the normal, everyday) seems totally pointless. (Maybe it's depression brought on by the death of my sister.) I don't think that my kids will ever marry. I don't believe that I will ever have grandchildren. I certainly won't see my mortgage being paid off. Of course there's no retirement plan, but who cares?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not depressed about the Lord's return, I literally look for Him everyday.

How do I plan for and look forward to something that I don't think will ever happen? If we will go through the tribulation, should I be stocking up on some kind of survival items?

Does anyone else ever think like this?

[Guest LCPGUY]

I believe Christ is coming soon, really soon.

I don't know how to live in light of this.

My house is in need of tons of work. - Is it really neccessary?

Two of my kids need braces. - How important is that?

Do I really need to exercize?

This is how I feel lately. I have no desire to do anything. Everything (having to do with the normal, everyday) seems totally pointless. (Maybe it's depression brought on by the death of my sister.) I don't think that my kids will ever marry. I don't believe that I will ever have grandchildren. I certainly won't see my mortgage being paid off. Of course there's no retirement plan, but who cares?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not depressed about the Lord's return, I literally look for Him everyday.

How do I plan for and look forward to something that I don't think will ever happen? If we will go through the tribulation, should I be stocking up on some kind of survival items?

Does anyone else ever think like this?

Hi Cheer!!!

I understand how you feel, but I never feel like what you described.

I think that Christ's return for us in the Rapture is very near. In that I rejoice. I don't let the other nay-sayers convince me of anything else. Sorry to hear you don't believe it will happen, because it will. The Bible doesn't lie. Cheer, no matter what you think, you're not going through the tribulation. No matter what some others here try and tell you - they are wrong.

Live each day as though Christ could call us home at any time. Don't get lazy. Be ready! It could happen at any moment. Do not fall away from the truth. Keep the house clean. In all ways, wait and live for our blessed hope.

Cheer, I'll see yuh in the air with Christ!

Love yuh,

John :hug:

[nebula]

cheercoach - It sounds like you are suffering depression. Hopelessness is one of its symptoms. This is not how Jesus would want you to live. There is help for this, and I hope you can pursue it - whether it be with a Christian counsellor or at least pick up and read a Christian book concerning this.

Depression is an enemy, and it is stealing from you your ability to serve the Lord with gladness.

Blessings and prayers!

[nebula]

lcpguy - let me ask you something, bro, OK?.

Suppose you were engaged to a woman who lived in a separate state from you. Now, I'm not going into the possibility of whether you would move to where she lives or she moves to where you live. But what I want to focus on is this.

Would you rather her be devoting herself to how her life would be better once the two of you are together, or would your rather her devoting herself to preparing herself for you?

How do you think it is for Jesus, our Bridegroom? Is He desiring of us focused on when He will take us out of here, or for us to be focused on making ourselves ready for Him?

See the difference?

Why be more obsessed with when when there is so much to do to just be ready for Him as is laid out in the Scriptures?

(ie. Matt. 25, as I mentioned before, producing the fruit of the Spirit, developing faith in Him.)