Then there will three comings if the “Rapture” is real; which begs the question: If a devout Christian does not believe in the “Rapture” and the “Rapture” is real or happens, then would they be caught up as the “Rapture” folks believe?
“If a devout Christian does not believe in the “Rapture” and the “Rapture” is real or happens, then would they be caught up as the “Rapture” folks believe?” Yes ... see you in the clouds! (1 Thess 4:13 - 18)
“...does not believe in the “Rapture”...”
I never have and still don’t subscribe to the rapture theory. I generally avoid arguments with folks about it because a person’s position on the matter is not what determines their salvation.
But not only do I not see the rapture in the book, to me it also just does not fit God’s general M.O.
Did God need to blink all His chosen people out of Egypt to protect them from His own wrath directed toward others around them? No, otherwise Passover would today be called BeamMeUpScotty day.
Did God need to transport Daniel from the danger of the lion’s den?
Or how about the 3 amigos in Daniel’s book who were bound and tossed into a super-heated furnace by King Nebucha-knuclehead? I’m not sure how physically bad some rapture believers expect the tribulation to be but I don’t think it will be worse than hanging out in a furnace. Which was hot enough to burn up the kings men who got close enough to throw those three men of God into it. Yet the three faithful were seen walking about unharmed - and chatting it up with Jesus, no less.
In a way it can seem like an indication of weak faith that some folks want outta here before the tribulation. It’s a shame we don’t celebrate this as we should, but quite obviously Christ is our Passover. The blood of the Lamb is already on the door of believer so to speak. If God wants harm to pass us by, it will. He does not need to shuffle us around to avoid it.
The lesson to be witnessed and hopefully learned by non-believers regarding these events is NOT that God can sneak His faithful out the back door before the sheets hit the fan. It is that the harm will pass them over if they have faith and if He so chooses.
To the extent one believes a given trial / tribulation to be or include spiritual warfare, then it seems even more likely we are expected to be here as the targets of it. Why try the already-unbelieving with more deceptions and untruths? What do we carry around all this gospel armor for anyway?
Absolutely...And what a ride it's going to be...
I know this has been explained before, but let me repeat...the Rapture/Catching up of the church/Bride of Christ happens in the air - we go up to meet Him in the air. He does not set foot upon the earth. The actual Second Coming will be when Jesus sets foot upon the Mount of Olives.