I believe the rapture doctrine is one of the most dangerous doctrines ever taught in that it causes Christians to be nonchalant, and unprepared for the things coming on this earth. Instead, they are expecting to mysteriously vanish and suffer nothing when the bible is explicit that Christians will see suffering, and even clearer that those who endure until the end shall be saved.
Also, imagine the confusion and mixed signals it produces in the mind of those who believe that God is not yet finished with physical Israel. We are told the God has a plan for Israel after the flesh that can only be accomplished after the Church is “raptured”. What incentive is there to bring the gospel to Jewish people when they are clearly supposed to be left behind ® and suffer things in the future tribulation period, and then, perhaps, go into the millennium as some special, unified race of people? God forbid that they would get converted to Christ before things heat up and they miss their true calling along with the rest of physical Israel.
I completely agree. Its a doctrine that calls for Two separate ‘Second Comings’ (1 Thess. 4:16 vs Mat. 24:30), two last trumpets (1 Cor. 15:52 vs Rev. 11:15), two FIRST resurrections (1 Thess. 4:16 vs Rev. 20:5), and it requires that the Day of the Lord take 7 years instead of one day (1 Thess. 5:9 vs Zech. 14:7).
All without any scriptural support.
Is this the ‘LIE’ spoken of in 2 Thess. 2:11, I don’t believe it is but if someone believes this lie what chance do they have against the next one.
Finally, I look back to the First Coming as an example of what to expect for the Second Coming. How’s that, well despite knowing the scriptures (OT) at that time, they still didn’t ‘get it’ despite all the signs and wonders. Its easy for us to look back and comment on how in the world could they have missed the obvious. But I feel the Second Coming will happen just the same way. I don’t see us during the ‘tribulation’ being knocked back on our heels watching earth shattering events just in awe of what is happening. I believe it’ll happen for the most part right under our noses and so wont even be recognized by some until its too late as we learned in the parable of the virgins.
JB