Posted on 09/17/2017 5:15:40 AM PDT by Kaslin
Thanks; I think the “Rapture Before the Wrath!” folks are the ones onboard with this idea.
Didn’t know how many of them were FReepers until a couple showed up on my Jesus was probably born on September 11th thread: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/bloggers/3584899/posts?page=50#50
While I believe those left on earth will be “raptured” at Christ’s Second Coming if they are still alive, it will be as Christ said:
“When the Son of Man returns to the Earth, will He still find faith?”
I realize we have folks here on every spectrum of the debate: from Christians who disagree on the September 23rd sign, to folks who may not even believe in Christ.
So many salient points have already been made here by other Freepers, and I don't want to reiterate those. I would simply add that I am in the camp that Christ's words in Matthew 24: 36, "But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father", in context to the rest of Scriptures was stated before His death, resurrection, and of John writing Revelation. Moreover, I don't think it is a coincidence that Christ used the words "neither the day nor the hour" - which are a Jewish idiom for the Feast of Trumpet (Yom Teruah).
The next feast day on God's calendar to be fulfilled is the Feast of Trumpets. Given Scripture and its language, combined with Biblical hermetics, I believe there will be a Rapture (from the Greek "Harpazo"....literally a snatching away) of His true believers before the 7 year Tribulation, and I give credence to the theory that Christ will come for His bride on the Feast of Trumpets.
Regarding the celestial alignment this week, that some are calling the Revelation 12 sign. There is a lot of terrible reporting and outright lies being stated out there, both in the secular news and in the Christian community. One of the biggest falsehood out there are saying that this exact alignment has occurred 84 times in history. It has not. Period.
There are aspects of the alignment that have occurred, but not every facet of it. The Stellarium software has been run 10,000 years in the past, and 10,000 years in the future - and it is a unique event. When people state things that are not true, and then expect the rest of their argument to be given credence, they are demagogues or fools.
Does this sign mean the Rapture is upon us? I don't know. Who does?
But I do know this. 1 Thessalonians 5:4 states that true Christians will not be caught unaware like the rest of the world, or as lukewarm Christians will be. I also know that the world is going crazy and downhill - fast! The rest of Matthew 24, when He said "as in the days of Noah, so shall be the coming of the Son of Man" is upon us, or very close.
We all know this. Even a few years ago, things were not as bad as they are now. Even Hussein Obama was making statements against "Gay Marriage" a few years ago! Think about that.
I pay extra attention to God's feast days anyway. So yes, I am paying extra attention now.
Perhaps this sign means something else - that the last days are just around the corner.
The true test of one’s belief that Jesus is returning on Sept. 23 is their willingness to turn over their earthly possessions of houses, boats and late model vehicles to the non believers such as me............
Thanks for that video Eli. I did watch a few minutes of that, and I will check out the rest.
The parable of the 10 virgins has always fascinated me (and to be honest, scared me a little).
I have always believed that 2 John 2:18 states that those who are watching for Christ, those who are diligently looking for His return, will receive a reward on the Judgment Seat of Christ:
"Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully." In the video that Eli posted, the author actually puts forth the theory that those who are not looking for His return, even though they are saved Christian, may not be taken in the Rapture.
That is something I have sometimes considered, and I must say it is a sobering thought.
There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that Christ will remove believers before the horrible Tribulation begins:
"Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."
Luke 21:36
For those who heap scorn on those who are watching, yet still are saved, are they also prepared to be with the Lord through the Rapture? What do they say at the wedding banquet of the Lamb: "Gee everyone at my table.....sorry about what I said. But really glad to be here!" Will Christ ask them to endure through the Tribulation, knowing they were not ready, but also knowing that they will be a blessing to those left behind?
They are still saved. They are not going to Hell. But will they have to endure the Tribulation, because they refused to watch, to accurately study the Scriptures, to be a blessings to those who hope for His return (Titus 2:13)?
A hard scenario to consider.
We live in a time and age when things are changing rapidly. I find myself these days struggling in the flesh like I always have, yet even more hyper-aware that I must endure for Him, because we are closer to our Salvation than when we first believed. I am also locked in some Spiritual warfare right now, and it isn't easy. But I believe God is using me, and for that, I am so grateful.
So brothers and sister - be encouraged!
Christ will not leave us as orphans. He loves us. I hope to see you all sooner rather than later - in His house.
Those who are waiting for Christ are not Harold Camping. I am not selling possessions or camping on a mountain top. But I am watching for Him, and trying to endure and to be ready for Him. I have to give an account for my life. So do you.
If you are not watching for Him, and you do not believe in the Scriptures that speak to His coming, to hold fast, and of the coming storm, then you of the world, and not of the body of Christ.
Sorry, but that's they way it is.
Thank you for your measured response.
Only a few more days and we will know who is right.
(don't hold your breath)
Two men say they’re Jesus, one of them must be wrong.
It would be a great birthday present for me if He returned on Saturday, but I suspect the biggest thing that will happen that day is I will over eat and get socks again for the fifth year in a row. Which isn’t bad I can always use new socks.
I will be turning 47 this year though so maybe that means something. I wonder if that coincidence is in the Bible somewhere: “...when He returns in Glory, a FReeper’s screen name will herald the Judgement...”.
I think I may have missed that verse. Maybe it’s in an apocryphal manuscript.
Otherwise, meh.
Has nothing to do with saving faith in Christ, at all. In fact, Christ would tell us to beware the lying delusions that mystery occultists at NASA are cooking up for us:
the Disciples; “What is the sign of your second coming and the end of the world?
And Jesus replied: “Beware deception...”
Believing in what men say about the Rapture has nothing to do with what God will or will not do at the time He returns for His church.
quote-waiting for some one to post his actual schedule
Whose schedule?
If one believer goes out and gets some extra oil for their lamp, this will have been worth the scorn.
Amen.
...not returning September...
Pity.
..amen
That is something I have sometimes considered, and I must say it is a sobering thought.
I do not believe that any believers will be left at the rapture, whether they are watching or not.
None of us is perfect and making being taken in the rapture puts on works, when everything we have is by grace.
Now, it certainly is feasible that those not watching will lose reward in heaven, but that is a different matter, IMO, than being left to endure the horrors of the Tribulation.
Still ... it’s probably a good idea to be prepared — just in case.
Not only numerology, but also astrology. Surprised that divining spirits are not thrown in. All Biblically off limits.
.
Nice opinion, for you to be sure.
But since the date is not set in Scripture and it isn't Jesus telling us He's coming back Sat, then no believer is under any obligation to turn over anything to anyone.
God we trust. Man? Not so much.
Besides, once the rapture happens and all believers are gone, their stuff will be up for grabs, first come, first served.
You can then go and help yourself to anything left behind.
It always amuses me what non-believers can think of for believers to do to *prove* their faith to them. Turn over all our possessions to you. Fat chance.
I'd give it to someone less greedy first if I really though that way.
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