Posted on 07/09/2008 3:25:12 PM PDT by Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus
On something as critical to eschatology as the millennial, it is wise to checkout the early church fathers. They lived in closer proximity to the Apostolic church of the first century than we, some 1900 yrs or so closer.
I think it safe to say that an eschatological belief without historical verification in the early years of Christianity should be discarded.
I have examined these writings, I find abundant evidence of Premillennial belief. Not only so, but concerning the timing of the rapture, they held to what we call today “post-trib.” They were Post-trib Premillennialists, in other words.
It is clear to me that such eschatological views as Preterism, Postmill, and Dispensationalism (with its pretrib rapture), are innovations.
I don't know about the thermonuclear principles but I know we Christians will be in heaven getting married as the Bride of Christ during the Tribulation...Rev. 19...
Read my links above. You are woefully deceived.
I started out 30 years ago reading Hal Linsey. He took what was a questionable doctrine he picked up at Dallas Theological Cemetery and realized he could sell books with it.
The Paul and Jan Crouch picked it up.
Read the links. The Scriptures make it plain in at least dozens of passages there is no Rapture prior to The Resurrection.
Wrath doesn't begin until AFTER the 7th trumpet, at which point the world will deserve the wrath for its severe persecution of Christians.
Thank you very much for the link. I have long noted inconsistencies in the scripture over the concept of a Rapture. Plus, it seemed illogical that millions of Christians could disappear overnight without the world recognizing it as the “Rapture,” thereby proving Christians were right all along (and letting those left behind know they missed out).
After reading the material at the link, it’s clear. There are no inconsistencies. I now am convinced Christ only returns once, at the end of the Tribulation. That is why scripture says the Anti-Christ might fool even the elect if they aren’t careful (because the elect will still be here).
What is clear to me is that post or pre-Tribulation believers should not be insulting each other. Debate the scripture? Yes. Demean the other side. NO! We are all Christians. Belief in post or pre-Tribulation rapture is not essential to salvation. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t seek the truth. We should. However, scripture is absolutely clear that we are not supposed to belittle our brothers.
“For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Thess 5:9).
Isn’t wrath reserved for unbelievers at the judgment? To me, Thess 5:9 means we believers will not have to endure the wrath (judgment) since God says He will not hold our sins against us, because Christ has washed our sins away.
Also, the Tribulation is depicted in many places in the scripture. The return of Christ is depicted as a time of rejoicing, and the return of Christ is depicted as a time of wrath for unbelievers (in separate scriptures). The one does not prohibit the other. In other words, why must there be two separate returns? A more natural explanation is one return where both events happen.
I don’t think that plain speaking on an important subject is insulting. This rapture doctrine is a damnable distortion of scripture. It has worked monstrously within the Body of Christ to weaken and ill-prepare it for the trying times to come ... indeed nearly at hand.
Christians need to buck up. Our work in the Tribulation will be very important. We are to be a witness when all Hell is breaking loose around us. We are to stand and say, “This is the very End Time the Bible told you would come. You have ignored Christ. Now repent as the time is short.”
Read 'em...I'm not deceived at all...
Read the links. The Scriptures make it plain in at least dozens of passages there is no Rapture prior to The Resurrection.
Certainly does not...
All this sight (unwittingly) shows is that there is likely a Rapture during or at the end of the Tribulation...Then it tortures some of the scripture with 'greek' re-translation to prove the bible doesn't mean what it says to stake it's claim...
And then the author admittedly doesn't know the difference between the Kingdom of Heaven (the physical Kingdom) and the Kingdom of God (the Spiritual kindgom)...He doesn't know what verses go with what...
There are a minimum of 2 facts this author is complete unaware of...
. There is more than 1 'calling out' (Rapture)in the scripture...
2. The First Resurrection has 3 parts to it; the Firstfruits, the Harvest and the Gleanings...
The guy is in such a hurry to prove his point of view that he overlooks some pretty obvious things, and then changes the words to parts he doesn't like...
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