You are right ...that inabilty to " fit" things together made me look at it again..the idea of animal sacrifices in the temple did it for me
As a general rule, that is true. However, there have been exceptions. Enoch and Elijah come to mind right off the bat. God is Sovereign. He can make exceptions (and still be consistent with Himself), and the very fact that He took Enoch and Elijah without them dying is proof.
(C)an we count the rapture as a death too?
I don't see how you would count that as "death". How would it be? It's the instant transformation of the physical, mortal body into a glorified, immortal body. No death involved.
Sorry to be picky, but it seems there is always something that does not fit.
When something doesn't seem to fit, it's a sure sign that you need revelation or teaching from the Holy Spirit. God's Word, rightly divided, is not inconsistent, and everything "fits".
Mom said: .."the idea of animal sacrifices in the temple did it for me"
Ok, Mom, when does the New Temple, complete with animal sacrifices, take place?
I must admit -- the idea of "animal sacrifices" didn't "do" it for me.
For me, the_doc's gentle chiding to read II Peter 3 as Peter wrote it was probably the "clincher". The_doc (gently, but sternly) advised me that it was high time I started reading II Peter 3, and my reading of Dr. David J. Engelsma (whom I have called "the Doctor of Amillennialism") thereupon "clinched the deal".
But, once I started thinking about these issues, the "Millennial sacrifices" issue always wrankled my soul, I'll be the first to admit.
Come one, come all... get your TYPES AND SHADOWS right here, 'cause here we go again, baby!!
I wonder if I would be entirely wrong if I characterized PreMillennialism as...
That's probably a bit trenchant on my part... but then again, as my FRiends know -- I usually am.