[TaxRelief]

Wohlberg may have a good point--that there will be no second chance after the rapture--but note the level of warning used to convey his concerns. "Dangerous", and "dangerous philosophy" are typical of the language used by the liberal left. The idea is to create so much controversy that people, particularly young people, don't know what to believe, ultimately choosing to believe nothing they cannot see or hear.

Once again the enemy attempts to create "division within the ranks". When all else fails, we have to be aware of those (atheists) who intentionally or unintentionally incite Christians to fight among themselves, Jews to fight among themselves, and, as we're seeing in Iraq, Muslims to fight among themselves.

The "intellectual left" resorted to this highly effective technique in the 50's and 60's, and they are returning to it's use now.

[meowmeow]

Whatever. If He comes back before the tribulation, I'm out of here. If Christians have to live through the tribulation and I'm still around, I'll probably be the first up against the wall. In which case, I'm still out of here.

[millefleur]

Two more books that shed much needed light on the so-called "rapture" scriptures:

"I Want to be Left Behind" by Pastor Ron Poch

and "Last Days Madness" by Gary DeMar

I found these two books to be much more indepth in their covering of the Bible Scriptures concerning end times.
Most likely they are not at your local Bible bookstore but could be found by a search..maybe Amazon.
They are well worth the effort to find.

[Grn_Lantern]

This is one of those religious doctrines that's been debated for centuries. Church teachings (both Catholic and Protestant) have varied over that time. Whether you believe in it or not isn't really the point. Just remember that no one knows the time...so, basically, don't hold your breath. And if you wake up one day somewhere else...well...neat.

[Avenger]

I remember reading Revelations many times when I was younger - it was completely incomprehensible to me. The account is St. John struck me as very mystical and heavily laden with symbolism. I think it is very difficult to analyze and I suspect that most interpretations are way off the mark. Perhaps loving and holding to God without knowing exactly what he is going to do with us is an even greater faith than clinging to various interpretations of opaque Bibilcal accounts?

[Cap'n Crunch]

Hope nobody holds their breath waiting for the rapture, ain't gonna be one.

[Liberty Tree Surgeon]

I'd say its dangerous only as far as it doesn't drive believers to put some stake in the future. Will you fight the Islamofascists if you figure faith will get you out of the end times?

[don-o]

"Dangerous", and "dangerous philosophy" are typical of the language used by the liberal left. The idea is to create so much controversy that people, particularly young people, don't know what to believe, ultimately choosing to believe nothing they cannot see or hear.

Good point. But, it IS a dangerous doctrine, in that, if the "rapture" ain't happened (which it will not), the Christians who believe it are set up to fall for the great deception which shall surely come.

From previous discussions on the board, this one may get real hot, real fast.

Folks should be willing to look at the history of this teaching, and lay it along side what the Christian Church taught for 1800 years, until a vision seeing woman in Scotland came along.

[A.A. Cunningham]

Interesting information on the bigoted "Moonie" co-hort Tim LaHaye: False Profit.

[nightdriver]

"I have studied every one of those of those verses in the Bible and also in the light of history," Wohlberg says, "and I have discovered clearly that every one of them does not apply to a secret rapture before a seven-year period of tribulation; but they all apply definitely to the visible, loud, glorious second coming of Jesus Christ at the very end of the world."

I wish Wolberg had amplified on his reasoning here. The consistent testimony in Scripture is that God does not leave His own to go through His terrible acts of judgement, ex - Enoch, Noah, Lot, etc.

If God is consistent, the rapture should be before the tribulation.

[roylene]

In reality it doesn't matter - pre / mid / post - you better be ready!

[ladyinred]

I read every single book in the series actually, and I do not believe in the rapture. It was great reading in most cases, and I welcome any book that has a Christian theme and good clean stories!

[ChevyZ28]

I believe the Bible is clear, there will still be Christians on earth during the tribulation. The Book of Revelation describes the execution of Christians who refuse to take the mark of the beast. However, I don't think anyone can conclusively say that some Christians would not be raptured prior to the tribulation.

[strongbow]

The "intellectual left" resorted to this highly effective technique in the 50's and 60's, and they are returning to it's use now.

I spent a lot of time wrapped around the wheel studying eschatology back in my younger years. There is a great deal to read and get excited about. I think I would classify myself an "amellinalist" now if you need a label. However I think when it comes to confronting my brothers and sisters in Christ now I am a "panmillenialist". In other words once we get to the point of being regenerated in Spirit and reconciled to God through the blood of Christ it will all "pan" out in the end however imperfectly we understand end times. The need to be "right" sometimes gets to be heady stuff and in my mind verges on pride for some. I want to understand scripture rightly and when it comes to core belief I will stand my ground firmly. However a brother's understanding of end times doesn't have to square with where the H.S. has led me to make him a brother in Christ. To this end I agree with the premise of the statement above.

[connectthedots]

I'm a Christian and have no interest in reading the "Left Behind" series. Never have been a Tim La Haye fan.

His book on sexuality, "The Act of Marriage" is just about the worst Christian book dealing with marital sex from a Christian perspective that has ever been published.

I don't think a whole lot of his theology, either.

[IGNATIUS]

Most likely each of us will experience normal separation of soul and body just as those before us have.

I am much more concerned about facing my Maker and Judge than hoping for a speculative "rapture". Eastern Orthodoxy has never taught such and considers the idea heretical and dangerous to one's salvation. The "I'll be whisked away/the others are left behind" notion wherein one escapes physical death and Judgement usually is accompanied by other beliefs including once saved always saved, eternal security, and faith alone. None of these are found in historic Latin and Eastern teaching dating from Apostolic times.