How ironic that those who argue on this thread that a "taking up" (Rapture) will be experienced by all believers are the very ones who argue against this very thing having taken place for the Mother of Jesus whom they concede produced virgin birth.
St. Juvenal, Bishop of Jerusalem, at the Council of Chalcedon (A.D. 451), made known to the Emperor Marcian and Pulcheria, who wished to possess the body of the Mother of God, that Mary died in the presence of all the Apostles, but that her tomb, when opened, upon the request of St. Thomas, was found empty; wherefrom the Apostles concluded that the body was taken up to heaven.
it is also ironic that Catholics get attacked for constructing elaborate shrines at the graves of Apostles and Saints and of “worshipping” relics, but no where can you find the grave of Mary or relics of her body.
>> wherefrom the Apostles concluded that the body was taken up to heaven.<<
Concluded? The first assumption/resurrection after Jesus and it wasn’t important enough to write about? Seriously? That’s the best evidence used for the assumption of Mary? Give me a break here, surely a monumental event like that would have clearly and concisely been written about by the Apostles.
And not a peep of it in the scriptures...Jesus was taken to heaven and a bible was written about it...Jesus' mother was taken to heaven and not a peep...UNTIL 400 YEARS LATER...
You still interested in that tropical island for sale in New Mexico???