A Rapture, of Sorts?

08/31/2016 | Mordechai ben Avram

[achilles2000]

True, “Bible” does not appear in the Bible, but neither do other words of a language that didn’t exist at the time the Bible was completed. Nevertheless, we get the word “Bible” from the Greek word “biblos”, which translates directly as “Bible” because “Bible” was introduced in English to mean “biblos”, which does appear in various places in the New Testament (e.g. “biblos”, “biblia”, biblion”, etc.). The real issue is the validity of premillennial dispensationalism, together with it’s “Rapture” doctrine. Those doctrines are essentially the 19th Century creation of John Darby and were popularized by Scofield in his Bible notes in the 20th Century. An examination of this thread shows how thoroughly this heresy has been ingrained in Evangelicals by generations of unlearned pastors, virtually none of whom have studied the issue dispassionately and carefully.

[metmom]

Nobody is claiming to know the day or hour but Jesus told us to know the seasons and gave us lots of information in Matthew 24 to let us know the time is drawing near.

He will seem to appear suddenly to those with no spiritual interest as they won’t see the signs, but believers should be and will be aware that the time is drawing near.

[PrairieLady2]

Beautifully done! Thank-you! And yes, I get it. I have to look at the calendar..when is Rosh HaShanna this year?

[aMorePerfectUnion]

"Those doctrines are essentially the 19th Century creation of John Darby and were popularized by Scofield in his Bible notes in the 20th Century. "

"Those doctrines" pre-date Darby historically. I've posted the data a great many times here on FR. Then a poster, such as yourself, shows up to repeat this claim.

In addition, the issue is always, what does the Scripture say?

[MHGinTN]

Same accusation from the same quarters. Catholiciism cannot allow a Rapture into the minds of Catholics. And their apologists will go to any lengths ...

[Maudeen]

As I have posted before. . .no one not even Jesus knows the exact moment when God will pull the plug on the world as we know it and indicate to Jesus “it is time”. But in the meantime what we DO know is that all of us, me included, need to be ready to meet Jesus. No one is guaranteed a next breath, second, minute, hour, day or year here on earth. Believing in the Lord Jesus Christ should be the main concern for not only ourselves but for others. http://www.thereishopeinJesus.com

[metmom]

The real issue is the validity of premillennial dispensationalism, together with it’s “Rapture” doctrine. Those doctrines are essentially the 19th Century creation of John Darby and were popularized by Scofield in his Bible notes in the 20th Century. An examination of this thread shows how thoroughly this heresy has been ingrained in Evangelicals by generations of unlearned pastors, virtually none of whom have studied the issue dispassionately and carefully.

I've heard that kind of comment before from FRoman Catholics, and I find it rather ironic in light of the *doctrinal development* that Cardinal Newman puts for to justify changes in Catholic church doctrine.

The word *assumption* is not found in Scripture either, but that didn't stop the Catholic church from finding, or developing, the doctrine about Mary some 1900 years after she died.

Same with the *immaculate conception*.

[Celerity]

The love of Christ and the acceptance into Heaven is one of the easiest things there is.

I don’t understand why more people don’t seek it.

[ealgeone]

2 Timothy 3:15 covers it.

[bellwether_blues]

I fully believe there has to be a Rapture of true believers, but it isn't to get Christians out of harms way. It seems more due to the positive influence of the Holy Spirit on earth. I also believe it’s still 10 or 20 years away. Why do I say this? In that day:
- People will stop eating meat
o Scary, but there is already a lot of talk that people eating beef need to stop
- Babylon will be a great city again
o This requires a large ?Muslim? country and an effort to rebuild

Eventually the false-prophet will perform miracles, in my opinion, as in the days of Job. The miracles will be so convincing that it is written that if the days were not shortened, even the very elect would be deceived. In the book of Job, Satan was able to 1) call down lightening from the sky 2) stir up armies and have them take over new territory 3) control whirlwinds to destroy (Job’s children’s house) 4) time events in such a unique way to allow the most devastating impact to Job 5) damage Job’s physical body and infest him with worms and do other damage. How would you react if someone could call down lightening or a tornado right in front of you?

About the Rapture itself, I believe it will happen somewhere towards the middle of the tribulation, but before the false prophet performs any significant miracles. Jesus said He would never leave us, nor forsake us. He is honoring His word through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Scripture tells us that the Holy Spirit has to be “removed” from the earth before the fullness of evil is revealed. I believe that will be the time of the Rapture.

[Just mythoughts]

The ‘false prophet’ is going to be calling himself ‘Jesus’. How many converts can he possibly get acting like the devil? Paul describes the first tribulation in Ephesians 6. Not a war of flesh and blood but spiritual wickedness in high places.

[jsanders2001]

Maybe we entered the tribuation on January 20, 2009 and we’re coming to the end of it after going through hell on earth with Obama and Soros..../s Hardest times I’ve lived through during my lifetime....

[boatbums]

Those doctrines are essentially the 19th Century creation of John Darby and were popularized by Scofield in his Bible notes in the 20th Century. An examination of this thread shows how thoroughly this heresy has been ingrained in Evangelicals by generations of unlearned pastors, virtually none of whom have studied the issue dispassionately and carefully.

Untrue as "those doctrines" were taught IN Scripture by the Apostles John, Paul and Peter and found in the writings that got preserved of many of the early leaders of the Christian community. Plus, you can't label something "heresy" when a doctrine really IS based on Scripture rather than some total whole cloth invention - like many Roman Catholic doctrines/dogmas are. Not to mention, the rapture is NOT a salvific kind of doctrine. This means whether someone accepts it or rejects, it has no bearing on their eternal salvation. There are many such "disputable" matters in our Christian faith and we are told to avoid quarreling over them (see Romans 14:1).

I happen to agree with the Pre-Tribulation Rapture teaching because I have studied it for decades and I agree that it CAN be scripturally proven. If you don't or won't believe it because your church has declared it wrong, then you ought to at least check it out for yourself - what do you have to lose? Heck, you may find out they got some other things wrong in the process. Either way, the Rapture will or won't happen regardless of whether or not people believe it. If one is a born again believer in Jesus Christ, he/she will be taken up should they be alive when it happens and then won't they be pleasantly surprised to NOT have to go through the Great Tribulation?! Heresy? NO.

[Just mythoughts]

With all your years of study do you know who the antiChrist literally is?

This ‘great tribulation’ is not a flesh and blood war. The tribulation is mass deception.

[Mark17]

Second the word rapture does not appear in the Bible

eh, the word Bible doesn't appear in the Bible either.

Great minds think alike bro, because that is the first thing that came to my mind also. I generally don't get too deep into these other peripheral doctrines. They might be important, but I want to know what their plan of salvation is. Where will they spend eternity?
And why continuously call Him Yeshua? I prefer to call Him Jesus Christ.

[Mark17]

Nor does ‘sola scriptura’ anywhere appear in the Bible...

Exactly. All that matters is whether something is taught in the Scriptures. We use descriptive terms to make it easier to have a discussion.

You are correct AMPU. You know what though? I never heard the term sola scriptura, till I saw it used here on Free Republic. Of course, I believe in it 100%. I am just saying I never heard the term outside of FR. I NEVER go beyond what is written. 😊

[Mark17]

You’re right...For you, there is no Rapture...The Rapture is for Christians only

Ouch cool guy. I agree, by the way. 😊

[Mark17]

The love of Christ and the acceptance into Heaven is one of the easiest things there is.

I don’t understand why more people don’t seek it.

It reminds me of a song. Abundant life He came to truly give man, but so few His gift of grace receive.

I don't get it either, but that is reality.

[Elsie]

Nor does ‘sola scriptura’ anywhere appear in the Bible...

Acts 17:11
Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

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Still darned good advice!