What's that about a Rupture?he he he That's a modern 20th century theory, don't you know. Is nothing in Holy Bible (KJV) to support it. Sawwy.
IMO, there are still several things that have to occur: The destruction of Damascus and Babylon (modern Iraq), Establishment of a new Roman Empire and then world Govn't with an Italian as it's head (the anti-Christ), The obliteration of Arabs hostile to Israel and peace forged with those who are left. A few other things too, I believe. It's been several months since I've looked at Biblical end-times prophecy, so my memory probably needs to be refreshed on some points.
No one knows the date or time when Jesus will return. We are living in the End Times.
And tonight, for the first time in thirteen years, Lord Voldemort's mark had appeared in the sky. What did these things mean?
IMNSHO (In my not so humble opinion), the rapture, as understood in popular theology, is a concoction of dispensational theology to try to reconcile scripture with the foundational assumptions of their system, (rather than reconcile their system with scripture). I have concluded that dispensationalism is incorrect and the "left behind" type of rapture is not going to occur.
There will be a rapture. It will occur when Christ returns to judge all men on the day of the Lord. I do not believe that that day is likely to occur soon. A lot of scripture seems to indicate some sort of Christianizing of the world; a process in which the kingdom of Christ is spread throughout the world fulfilling the great commission. Isaiah 11.9 says, "...the earth will be as full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea". One commentator wrote, "How godly will the earth be in those days? How wet is the Pacific?"
So instead of staring into space waiting for some easy way out via the rapture, perhap the Church should be working to fulfill our commission.
There is nothing standing in the way of our Rapture. The NWO is here, only now its called "Globalism". I suspect the Anti-Christ is waiting in the wings and there is nothing that says we will be here for his arrival on the scene. The Tribulation Saints will suffer under him though. How much we'll see isn't clear. Only the admonition that when we see these things begin to come to pass, look up for our salvation draweth nigh.
Verse 24:42 could use some emphasis too.
Prophetically we are getting ready to see Ezekiel 38 and 39 before our very eyes. I don't think there is anyting else that would prevent the rapture of the Church anytime. The true believers of Christ are the restraining force of this world and we would detect anti-christ in a heartbeat because he will come in his own name offering mankind a new way and false peace. The true Church will be gone praising Jesus around the throne in heaven while all hell is breaking loose on earth.
If I remember correctly, the Gospel has to be heard around the world for the Rapture to occur.
I would invite you to read my latest book, "Crisis in Evangelical Scholarship: A New Look at the Second Coming of Christ." Can be obtained through AMAZON.Com.
1 Thessalonians Chapter 5 1Th 5:1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 1Th 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
1Th 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
1Th 5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
1Th 5:5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
1Th 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as [do] others; but let us watch and be sober.
1Th 5:7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
1Th 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
1Th 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
1Th 5:10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
1Th 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
And most importantly Hebrews Chapter 11...
Hebrews Chapter 11
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hbr 11:2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
Hbr 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
Hbr 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
Hbr 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
Hbr 11:6 But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Hbr 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
Hbr 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
Hbr 11:9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as [in] a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
Hbr 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker [is] God.
Hbr 11:11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
Hbr 11:12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, [so many] as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
Hbr 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of [them], and embraced [them], and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
Hbr 11:14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
Hbr 11:15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that [country] from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
Hbr 11:16 But now they desire a better [country], that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Hbr 11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten [son],
Hbr 11:18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
Hbr 11:19 Accounting that God [was] able to raise [him] up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
Hbr 11:20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
Hbr 11:21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, [leaning] upon the top of his staff.
Hbr 11:22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
Hbr 11:23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw [he was] a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. Hbr 11:24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
Hbr 11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
Hbr 11:26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
Hbr 11:27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
Hbr 11:28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
Hbr 11:29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry [land]: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
Hbr 11:30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
Hbr 11:31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
Hbr 11:32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and [of] Barak, and [of] Samson, and [of] Jephthae; [of] David also, and Samuel, and [of] the prophets:
Hbr 11:33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
Hbr 11:34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
Hbr 11:35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
Hbr 11:36 And others had trial of [cruel] mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
Hbr 11:37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
Hbr 11:38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and [in] mountains, and [in] dens and caves of the earth.
Hbr 11:39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
Hbr 11:40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
I heard that before Jesus returns that Jews will be returning to faith in Jesus in large numbers. I don't really know if that is happening. In any event, these world events are very disheartening and frightening.
A few thoughts on the antichrist. He will arise among a union of ten kings Daniel 7:24 Rev 17:12-13
His kingdom will be the revived holy roman empire Dan 2:31-44
He will uproot three kings Dan 7:8 7:24
His ten nation union will merge into a world government which he will dominate. Dan 7:1-8 Rev 13:1-3
He will use peace as a weapon Dan 8:25 He will be promoted by a miracle working partner Rev:13:11-14
He will have power, then lose it then regain it Rev:17:8
He will be preceded by seven kings Rev 17:10-11
His look will be more stout then his fellows Dan 7:20.8:23
Three and one half years after the confirming of the covenant the antichrist will sit in the rebuilt jewish temole claiming to be God Dan 9:27,11:31. 12:11 Matthew 24:15-21 II Thessalonians 2:3-4
He will be regarged as brilliant Dan 7:8, 8:23
He will persecute Gods people dan 7:21 TRev 13:7, 20:4
He will dominate the world but will face resistance Dan 11:44 rev 12:14
He will hnor the god of forces Dan 11:31
He will think to change the times and lawsDan 7:25
He will not regard the desire of women Dan 11:37
The number of his name will somehow be 666 Rev.13:18
He will be destroyed by Jesus Christ at Armageddon Dan 7:11 Thess 2:8 Rev 19:20, 20:10
