[Star Traveler]

*** This is a RAPTURE CAUCUS thread ***

The following from the Religion Moderator...
http://www.freerepublic.com/~religionmoderator/

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Caucus threads.

Who can post? Members of the caucus and those specifically invited

What can be posted? Anything but the beliefs of those who are not members of the caucus

What will be pulled? Reply posts mentioning the beliefs of those who are not members of the caucus. If the article is inappropriate for a caucus, the tag will be changed to open.

Who will be booted? Repeat offenders.

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Now, back to my own comments...

Some FReepers may have gotten jumped on (in other threads) for posting their belief in the Rapture, from what the Bible says. But -- here -- we're in support of the Rapture.

You are a member of this RAPTURE CAUCUS if you are in support of the Biblical Doctrine of the Rapture, as a separate event from the Second Coming of Jesus Christ (which is to establish the Kingdom on earth).

Those who await the Rapture, are looking for that "Blessed Hope", Jesus Christ coming in the clouds, for His Bride, the Church.

So, feel free to join in the discussion -- in support of the Rapture -- as we talk about what information you have from the Bible, seminaries, church, pastors, books, friends and so on.

We can discuss the pertinent Bible verses, who are the pastors and/or churches who support it, what books are good to read, what is the purpose of the Rapture, the reason you find some compelling, or whatever else may be enlightening and helpful to the rest of us, in regards to edifying, exhorting and comforting one another, in support of the Biblical Doctrine of the Rapture.

Also, another "given" here is the Inspiration of Scripture from God, resulting in an inerrant and infallible Word from Him. Please refer to the "Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy" for a fuller explation of it. Although we can discuss what other pastors, preachers, teachers, churches, people, etc. explanations are, it all does come back to the final authority of the Word of God.

Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy
http://www.bible-researcher.com/chicago1.html

Chicago Statement on Biblical Hermeneutics
http://www.bible-researcher.com/chicago2.html
[this part gives guidelines for interpretating the Word of God]

[GOP Poet]

bookmark

[Star Traveler]

Here’s a good website for study material from a lot of other pastors/preachers/teachers in regards to the Rapture...

Pre-Trib Research Center
http://www.pre-trib.org/

They have a conference every year in Dallas where papers are presented and/or different people talk on the issue.

They have a lot of archived material there, too...

[LiteKeeper]

mega-dittoes

[Star Traveler]

The links above did not come out clickable, so here they are... :-)

About Dr. David Reagan...
http://www.lamblion.com/about_staff_reagan.php

—

Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy
http://www.bible-researcher.com/chicago1.html

Chicago Statement on Biblical Hermeneutics
http://www.bible-researcher.com/chicago2.html

[MississippiMan]

Another strong point that is IMHO in favor of a pre-trib rapture, is found in Matthew 24:

40"Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left.

41"Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left.

This clearly paints a picture of believers and non-believers working side by side at the moment of Rapture. This will be impossible once the mark of the beast has been implemented, because believers will be forced underground when they refuse the mark. They will not be able to buy, sell, hold a documented job, etc.

I suppose one could make the argument that the marking program isn't implemented at the beginning of the Tribulation, but further into it, but I don't think we have any solid evidence to support the timing of the mark implementation, do we?

MM

[yellowhorse]

Thank you for posting this tonight. I am a pre-tribulation believer. To me it just makes sense. Our generation is blessed because we will never die and I live my life daily expecting that “today is the day”. Dr. David Jeremiah presently has a book out, “What in the World is Going On?” that gives a good description of the rapture and the tribulation. One of the things that he comments on is how few ministers will preach on the end times. There will be a lot of people who attend church that are going to be surprised on the day of the rapture. Thank you again.

[hellinahandcart]

read

[Global2010]

I enjoy threads of this nature for reading.

I am will not chime in as to respect to the caucus and my own journey in learning and absorbing the teachings of the RC Church.
(I dont want to confuse myself or debate fellow Christians in these times where we all need to respect and stick together)

The one comment I will make as a student of the theology road is that personally at this time in my sojourney in my faith in subject matter such as this thread my opinion is:

I am just doing my best to keep the oil Lamp at the Door burning bright for when the BridesGroom arrives.

[Star Traveler]

Hey y’all, haven’t seen you around... :-)

Here’s an article about the Rapture (at the top), and then I give y’all (and everyone else) a website link about all things having to do with the Rapture....

http://www.raptureready.com/

[evets]

Maybe when Christians ‘die’ they are
instantly transported through ‘time’,
to the rapture, where the dead rise first.
Therefore to be with the Lord for eternity.

[raynearhood]

You are a member of this RAPTURE CAUCUS if you are in support of the Biblical Doctrine of the Rapture, as a separate event from the Second Coming of Jesus Christ (which is to establish the Kingdom on earth).

Seriously, you may want to change the caucus tag to [Dispensational Caucus] or something similar.

I'm all for the thread labels on FreeRepublic, they serve their purpose well when used properly. This, I think, is an improper use.

Every eschatology believes that the Rapture will happen. Just using [RAPTURE CAUCUS] invites all eschatologies' ideas on the Rapture. Later defining the Caucus with - "the Biblical Doctrine of the Rapture, as a separate event from the Second Coming of Jesus Christ (which is to establish the Kingdom on earth)" is now calling all other eschatologies unbiblical and/or heretical which is just begging for the the other eschatologies to jump in and defend.

I suggest [DISPENATIONAL CAUCUS] and define it as a thread for discussing the end times and rapture according to the dispensational eschatology.

You know my position on eschatology, I'm just trying to help you out here.

[TaraP]

Wonderful!
Look forward to conversing with other’s on this Glorious Event...

[Jo Nuvark]

Good morning ST...

Just logged on and find myself extremely impressed with
this format and its civility. As always the content is well
thought out and documented.

FATHER GOD... I ask that You would be sovereign over
this caucus, that Your Spirit of Truth and Love would
flood over the posters as we meditate on Your Word.
I pray that nothing that is not of Your Spirit will enter.
I pray Your protection over Star Traveler and our
moderators as they stand in the gap with discernment.

You are the light an the Truth. Be light for us as we
call upon You to flood the dark places... that we may
know YOU ARE GOD!

In JESUS name!

[Squidpup]

The Blessing Of The Sun - Birchat HaChama (April 8th)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2209709/posts

[pinkpanther111]

bookmark

[MississippiMan]

Regardless of when the Rapture actually occurs, we need to keep in mind that the Bible teaches that societal conditions are going to grow increasingly worse the closer we get to the Lord's return. That means Christians will suffer tribulation whether or not they go into the Great Tribulation. And that means all of us had better be preparing ourselves for unprecedented suffering and spiritual warfare.

I missed a nit on my first reading of this article: The commonly held view is that the Great Tribulation will be the second half (3.5 years) of the Tribulation. Like I said, just a nit.

MM (in TX)

[woollyone]

...need time to develop my post for clear presentation...
...developing...

BTW, ST, ty for the ping!

[geologist]

Excellent article. I found it very interesting.

There is much interest in the ‘end times’ happenings of the world today.

Two years ago I did a two year (PRECEPTS ...by Kay Arthur) study on revelations; also very interesting. To anyone interested in the subject I do recommend the ‘Precepts’ studies.

Your tie all the ends up very neatly. It requires some thought before simply accepting the timing. It is appealing to just say HALELUJAH! GLORY TO GOD. May it be true.

__________________________________________________________
excerpt

“In my opinion that leaves only one other candidate for Paul's restrainer — and that is the Church. It is the Church that serves as the primary restrainer of evil in the world today as it proclaims the Gospel and stands for righteousness. When the Church fails in this mission, evil multiplies, as Paul graphically points out in 2 Timothy 3:1-5. Paul says that society in the end times will be characterized by chaos and despair because “men will hold to a form of religion but will deny its power.” When the Church is removed from the world, all hell will literally break loose.”
__________________________________________________________

The church ... is the people inside ... believers in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and the Lord Jesus Christ: and the Scriptures written in the Holy Bible.

What a responsibility it is to know that each of us individually is a part of ‘the restrainer of evil.’ Powerful idea. The concept of being a Christian soldier has faded from from consciousness in our times. We mostly think of our own deliverance/salvation, witnessing, being missionaries, caring for the poor, lost, needy, and being obedient to God and His Word.

My job is to also be a ‘restrainer of evil. WOW! In this time when most churches rarely say the words ‘sin’ or ‘evil’ and are in to compromising, and attracting new members: it is an amazing idea. One I embrace. It may change my life ... more.

Thank you for it.

I'll be back.

[woollyone]

Credit given to blueletterbible.og for hosting this image.
Apologies to those living in the last centry with a dial-up connection. =)

[pinkpanther111]

May add the following links the list. Calvarymagazine did a 7 part series on the Rapture. Here the links to each of those parts. I am still reading through them, but thought others might be interested.

http://www.calvarymagazine.org/Pastor_Chuck/pastor_chuck_15.pdf
http://www.calvarymagazine.org/Pastor_Chuck/pastor_chuck_16.pdf
http://www.calvarymagazine.org/Pastor_Chuck/pastor_chuck_17.pdf
http://www.calvarymagazine.org/Pastor_Chuck/pastor_chuck_18.pdf
http://www.calvarymagazine.org/Pastor_Chuck/pastor_chuck_19.pdf
http://www.calvarymagazine.org/Pastor_Chuck/pastor_chuck_20.pdf
http://www.calvarymagazine.org/Pastor_Chuck/pastor_chuck_21.pdf