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The Not So Secret Rapture
reformed.org ^ | W. Fred Rice

Posted on 01/14/2011 5:57:52 PM PST by topcat54

Evangelical book catalogs promote books such as Planet Earth: The Final Chapter, The Great Escape, and the Left Behind series. Bumper stickers warn us that the vehicle’s occupants may disappear at any moment. It is clear that there is a preoccupation with the idea of a secret rapture. Perhaps this has become more pronounced recently due to the expectation of a new millennium and the fears regarding potential Y2K problems. Perhaps psychologically people are especially receptive to the idea of an imminent, secret rapture at the present time. Additionally, many Christians are not aware that any other position relative to the second coming of Jesus Christ exists. Even in Reformed circles there are numerous people reading these books. Many of these people are unaware that this viewpoint conflicts with Scripture and Reformed Theology.

(Excerpt) Read more at reformed.org ...


TOPICS: Theology
KEYWORDS: crusades; endtimes; eschatology; rapture
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To: one Lord one faith one baptism
Sanctity of life ... the unborn is a question that has created changes in what the Catholic Church teaches. Whether abortion, birth control pills, or using the rhythm system, ... it has gradually changed to agree with the worldly views. Divorce another, and homosexuality, etc.

This is not to attack, rather to notice changes during many years. It is true in most all churches. ‘Secular Christians’ is a term I heard in Sunday School last week. It serves to allow us to act according to convenience, and our own wants. God forgive us as we grow in the direction of the worlds teaching and become willing to allow man to set the standards. This has occurred over the centuries. We know it, ... if we simply study history. Go's Word is true. We must know it for our self and not simply through teachers. Like the Bereans, look to see if these things are true.

Glory be To God the Father, Jesus Christ and the HOLY SPIRIT!

361 posted on 01/17/2011 7:54:08 AM PST by geologist (The only answer to the troubles of this life is Jesus. A decision we all must make.)
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To: Scythian

Yup, it sure is :) Though have you ever watched Australian rules football? I’d call it American-rules football without the sissy paddings and helmets :-P


362 posted on 01/17/2011 7:57:51 AM PST by Cronos (Bobby Jindal 2012)
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To: Cronos

>>which has been preserved in the Church from the apostles until now, and handed down in truth.<<

You have posted multiple times with statements about the “catholic church”. One has to realize that the “catholic church” in scripture and the early writings means “universal church” NOT the RCC.


363 posted on 01/17/2011 7:59:27 AM PST by CynicalBear
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To: metmom
Nah, 3 out of 3 Catholic posters here on this thread -- that's 100%

How many of your group's people actually READ the bible? do you have any links showing the accurate statistics for your group on reading?
364 posted on 01/17/2011 8:01:45 AM PST by Cronos (Bobby Jindal 2012)
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To: CynicalBear
Actually, no -- if you read Ireneus, he clearly delineates
Since, however, it would be very tedious, in such a volume as this, to reckon up the successions of all the Churches, we do put to confusion all those who, in whatever manner, whether by an evil self-pleasing, by vainglory, or by blindness and perverse opinion, assemble in unauthorized meetings; [we do this, I say,] by indicating that tradition derived from the apostles, of the very great, the very ancient, and universally known Church founded and organized at Rome by the two most glorious apostles, Peter and Paul; as also [by pointing out] the faith preached to men, which comes down to our time by means of the successions of the bishopFor it is a matter of necessity that every Church should agree with this Church (*Rome*), on account of its preeminent authority, that is, the faithful everywhere, inasmuch as the tradition has been preserved continuously by those [faithful men] who exist everywhere.

"Against Heresies" (Book III, Chapter 3)

365 posted on 01/17/2011 8:10:23 AM PST by Cronos (Bobby Jindal 2012)
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To: CynicalBear

Also, if you look through the extracts from Ireneus’ book, besides the explicit instruction to follow the Church of Rome, he points out that one must follow tradition, must obey one’s bishops who are in the line of the apostles and that one must not be a schismatic. Ireneus also denounces those who convene on their own and presume to interpret sans the Church.


366 posted on 01/17/2011 8:12:31 AM PST by Cronos (Bobby Jindal 2012)
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To: Quix

I didn’t know that you had a beard.


367 posted on 01/17/2011 8:37:36 AM PST by MarkBsnr (I would not believe in the Gospel if the authority of the Catholic Church did not move me to do so..)
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To: The Theophilus

I see that you have once again posted extensively from the OT. Let me ask you if there is any Christ in your Christianity.


368 posted on 01/17/2011 8:39:27 AM PST by MarkBsnr (I would not believe in the Gospel if the authority of the Catholic Church did not move me to do so..)
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To: Cronos

>> Ireneus also denounces those who convene on their own and presume to interpret sans the Church.<<

The RCC of today has corrupted the original intent beyond anything Irenaeus could have imagined. Infallibility, the ascension of Mary, praying to saints etc. While it is true that the early church in Rome was the repository of the faith and was the central location for what beliefs the church held the meaning of catholic has been totally mis-interpreted.


369 posted on 01/17/2011 8:40:24 AM PST by CynicalBear
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To: Quix
Briefly

there is a bulge at the equator due to the gravitational pull of the spinning of the earth.

There are continuous cycles in geological history, there was ice ages; and more water was captured in the ice that what is being supposed by global warming. The evidence is in the rock. At one time the continental shelf was once dry land for instance. At one time All of America was under water. Global areas once under water are now dry land. Perhaps slowly and sometimes catastrophic events. The waters were in transgression, or regressed.

Sun spots, volcanic actions, major eruptions, etc. Man has no effect on any of these occurrences. The Bible says God set the boundaries of the seas in a few places, Job, Psalms, .... this was after man was on earth.

370 posted on 01/17/2011 8:42:06 AM PST by geologist (The only answer to the troubles of this life is Jesus. A decision we all must make.)
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To: metmom
I was baptized and raised Catholic. The Catholic church considered me a Catholic and to hear many talk, still does. Once a Catholic, always a Catholic.

Or a failed one.

It is not exempt from that kind of discipline from Jesus, if they really were a true church. But considering the path they’ve taken, they wandered off that path millennia ago.

We are the Church of Jesus Christ; you may consider that a true church or not, given your repudiation of the Nicene Creed and your rejection of the Trinity. It is not up to you to to define God or His institutions.

371 posted on 01/17/2011 8:42:52 AM PST by MarkBsnr (I would not believe in the Gospel if the authority of the Catholic Church did not move me to do so..)
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To: RegulatorCountry

INDEED, YOUR LAST POINT.

And a very well put whole post.

Thx.


372 posted on 01/17/2011 8:44:41 AM PST by Quix (Times are a changin' INSURE you have believed in your heart & confessed Jesus as Lord Come NtheFlesh)
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To: metmom

Thank you, I agree.


373 posted on 01/17/2011 8:44:50 AM PST by geologist (The only answer to the troubles of this life is Jesus. A decision we all must make.)
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To: Cronos

No sweat. Thanks for understanding.


374 posted on 01/17/2011 8:45:46 AM PST by Quix (Times are a changin' INSURE you have believed in your heart & confessed Jesus as Lord Come NtheFlesh)
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To: Cronos

I have Eusebius sp? Haven’t gotten far with him. Must have 20 books ‘in the works,’ including The RCC Catechism.


375 posted on 01/17/2011 8:46:56 AM PST by Quix (Times are a changin' INSURE you have believed in your heart & confessed Jesus as Lord Come NtheFlesh)
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To: Cronos

I said nothing about official declarations but that Constantine made his state religion.

It was he who called and financed the council and Sylvester’s role was a minor one if it existed at all.

Constantine was never a Christian unless you can define a “Christian” as a murder that makes a so-called death bed conversion. And even that is doubtful.


376 posted on 01/17/2011 8:47:39 AM PST by count-your-change (You don't have be brilliant, not being stupid is enough.)
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To: CynicalBear
ABSOLUTELY INDEED
!TO THE MAX!

ABSOLUTELYINDEED
!TO THE MAX!

ABSOLUTELY INDEED
!TO THE MAX!

377 posted on 01/17/2011 8:56:03 AM PST by Quix (Times are a changin' INSURE you have believed in your heart & confessed Jesus as Lord Come NtheFlesh)
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To: presently no screen name
The RCC has it’s roots in the demonic - that’s a given.

The Reformation is the tool of the devil, not the Catholic Church. Look at all of the direct results of the Reformation - the Anglicans, Methodists, Presbyterians, and so on. Any of them retaining anything more than vestiges of Christianity? No. The Church goes back to Christ, which is more than any of the johnny come latelies can claim.

Can we conclude every Catholic has no problem serving satan if they stay w/the RCC?

Since satan's enemy is the Church of Jesus Christ on Earth, it would be idiotic to say that Catholics serve satan within the Church.

378 posted on 01/17/2011 9:10:24 AM PST by MarkBsnr (I would not believe in the Gospel if the authority of the Catholic Church did not move me to do so..)
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To: presently no screen name; mas cerveza por favor
Hey, newbie watch yourself!

With your anti Christian prattlings attacking the Church of Jesus Christ, I'd advise you to take your own advice.

379 posted on 01/17/2011 9:12:21 AM PST by MarkBsnr (I would not believe in the Gospel if the authority of the Catholic Church did not move me to do so..)
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To: Quix
Oral Roberts 1982

(Quoted from the reply form to be sent back to Oral.)

Dear Brother Roberts,

Here is your half of the Red Christmas Candle back. I want you to melt it together with other partners’ candles and re-light it in the Prayer Tower as you lift up my spiritual, physical, and financial needs. I am joining my faith with your faith and the faith of the other Partners. ... Here is my Christmas offering to the Lord’s work.

I guess that he ran out of Pentecostal hankies...

380 posted on 01/17/2011 9:15:26 AM PST by MarkBsnr (I would not believe in the Gospel if the authority of the Catholic Church did not move me to do so..)
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