Posted on 09/30/2014 11:41:47 AM PDT by NYer
Five Myths About the “Rapture” and the “Left Behind” Industry | Carl E. Olson | CWR
On the (short) history, (bad) theology, and (continuing) appeal of premillennial dispensationalism
This year has marked a sort of second coming of “the Rapture”. On June 29th, HBO launched a new series, "The Leftovers", based on the 2011 novel of the same title, written by Tom Perrotta, which follows the struggles of various characters living in the aftermath of the sudden disappearance of millions of people. “And then it happened,” states the novel's Prologue, “The biblical prophecy came true, or at least partly true. People disappeared, millions of them at the same time, all over the world.” The twist is that Perrotta apparently uses the Rapture as a plot device, but does not adhere to the dispensationalist belief system which features the Rapture (more on that below).
The recent movie, “The Remaining”, however, is completely dedicated to the “left behind” theology, as co-writer and director Casey La Scala explains:
And ever since I was a kid, I wondered what would happen if the Rapture were to happen and all of the sudden we were in seven years of hell. So, I went through Revelations and I got to the sixth trumpet, in which the Abyss is opened and the demons are released, and I said, ‘There it is!’ ... In the process of writing The Remaining, once I was sure the project would stand up to an evangelical base, I did a lot of work on making sure the rules of the Rapture were biblically accurate.
If La Scala really did refer to The Apocalypse as “Revelations”, then readers will be forgiven for questioning the depth of his research and knowledge of Scripture. Then again, being “biblically accurate” has never been a strong suit of the “left behind” theology (again, more on that below).
And then there is the new “Left Behind” movie, in theaters this coming Friday, starring Nicholas Cage (yes, he's still acting—or at least appearing in movies). The verbiage is boilerplate and sensational, a combination that has been an essential part of Rapture fiction since British author Sydney Watson published a trilogy of end times novels a hundred years ago—Scarlet and Purple (1913), The Mark of the Beast (1915), and In the Twinkling of an Eye (1916):
In the blink of an eye, the biblical Rapture strikes the world. Millions of people disappear without a trace. All that remains are their clothes and belongings, and in an instant, terror and chaos spread around the world.
With all of this eschatological excitement in the pop culture air, it's not surprising that I've received e-mails and questions about the newest round of Rapture roulette. The biggest question is simply, “Are the 'Left Behind' books and movies compatible with Catholicism?” Others follow. I addressed those and many, many other questions several years ago in my first book, Will Catholics Be Left Behind? A Catholic Critique of the Rapture and Today's Prophecy Preachers (Ignatius Press, 2003; e-book). I also write a number of articles about the “Left Behind” phenomenon, including pieces about the unoriginal nature of the Tim LaHaye/Jerry B. Jenkins novels, a short history of the “left behind” theology, a comparison of dispensationalism and Catholicism, and a rather scathing review of the Glorious Appearing, the twelfth Left Behind novel.
With that in mind, I am reposting an article I wrote in late 2003 for Crisis magazine, which examines five of the central myths, or misunderstandings, about the Rapture and related matters. I've not updated it (for example, there are a total of sixteen Left Behind novels, and they have sold around 65 million copies in all), but the main points are still just as good today as they were then.
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Three years ago I mentioned to a Catholic friend that I was starting to work on a book critiquing the Left Behind novels and premillennial dispensationalism, the unique theological belief system presented, in fictional format, within those books. “Why?” she asked, obviously bewildered. “No one really takes that stuff seriously.”
That revealing remark merely reinforced my desire to write that book, Will Catholics Be “Left Behind”? (Ignatius, 2003). Other conversations brought home the same point. Far too many people, including a significant number of Catholics, do not recognize the attraction and power of this Fundamentalist phenomenon. Nor do they appear to appreciate how much curiosity exists about the “end times,” the book of Revelation, and the “pretribulation Rapture”—the belief that Christians will be taken up from earth prior to a time of tribulation and the Second Coming. In addition, I hoped to pen the sort of book I wish that I, as a Fundamentalist, could have read while studying and approaching, by fits and starts, the Catholic Church.
In the course of writing articles, giving talks, and writing the book, I have encountered a number of questions and comments—almost all from Catholics—that indicate how much confusion exists about matters of eschatology, not to mention ecclesiology, historical theology, and the interpretation of Scripture. The five myths I present here summarize many of those questions, and I seek to provide basic and clear answers for them.
“The Left Behind books represent a fringe belief system that very few people take seriously.”
Exactly how many copies of the Left Behind books must be sold before the theology they propagate can be taken seriously?
Continue reading at www.CatholicWorldReport.com.
“That’s multiple days.”
Yes, but what days are being referred to? It says the “immediately after the tribulation of those days”, so days refers to the tribulation, not the day of wrath, or day of the Lord as it is referred to in other prophecies.
In fact, the verse you cite is the best proof that the day of wrath cannot possibly occur during the tribulation. The same events described in that verse (darkening of the sun and moon, stars falling from heaven, and the heavens being disturbed) match the events described in Rev 6:12-17 that you used as your reference for the “day of wrath”, and this verse in Matthew clearly places these events after the tribulation!
“The Greek has past or present tense “has come”. It is not a future anticipated event.”
Well, I will take your word for that. If it’s true, then Rev 6 must be describing events after the tribulation, or it would be in conflict with Matthew 24.
You need to read this passages side by side. Revelation 6 the moon is turned red not darkened. The mountains and the islands are moved not the powers of the heavens shaken. They are two distinctly different events
“They are two distinctly different events”
Then why did you quote that passage in post #131, using it as evidence for your interpretation of the event in Rev 6?
Kierkedork, yup. Good grief. Personally, I like Ravi Zacharias.
Thanks. :-)
Because the passage in Matthew says days. As in multiple. It shows, as well as other passages, that the “day of the Lord” refers to a period of time. Not just one day as you seemed to indicate you believe.
So now you say that Matthew 24 and Revelation 6 refer to the same event again? Which is it? The same event or two different events?
If they are the same event, then you can compare the verses and try to make some comparison about the use of day vs days.
If they are different events, then that comparison makes no sense at all, and so why would you make it?
He is pretty much going to destroy the earth as we know it...The destruction will be worse than anything ever experienced before, beyond our imagination...Yet, millions will survive...
And yes, God pulls his church off the earth while this devastation takes place...The church then returns to the earth with Jesus...
Please read 1 and 2 Thessalonians together. Pay attention to the theme of the letters and 2 Thessalonians 2. If you need to, write down when things happen.
Please read all of Romans 5.
vs 3 “And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations...
Unless “the wrath to come” means hell, there is no reason for Paul to include this in his logic to a people who will not be threatened by a particular instance of wrath. If the wrath is not the final judgment seat wrath, then no one need fear “the wrath to come” because only those who live during the time of the tribulation will experience that wrath..
Please read all of Luke 21.
1. many will say they are the Messiah
2. wars and disturbances
3. nation vs nation, kingdom vs kingdom
4. plagues and famines in various places
5. terrors and great signs from heaven (attesting miracles)
6. BUT BEFORE ALL THESE THINGS [caps mine] they will la their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you to the synagogies adn prisons...yet not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives (soul)
7. When Jerusalem is surrounded by armies, head for the hills because these are days of vengeance
8. heavenly signs (vs 25 & 26 are powerful)
9. vs 27 “And they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN A CLOUD [Dan 7:13 & Rev 1:7]
10. vs 28 stand tall and keep your head up for “your redemption is drawing near.”
parable
11. Be on guard...”and that day come on you suddenly like a trap; for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of the all the earth.
12 keep alert at all times, praying in order that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
New American Standard Version (as close to original language and today’s language)
No it doesn't, in those verses...But there are plenty of other verses that confirm it...
Every one knows the church is the Bride...Few however realize that the wedding has never taken place...We are the 'espoused' Bride...
The book of Revelation (with no s) tells of the destruction that will take place on the earth during the Great Tribulation...While this Tribulation is taking place, the Wedding of the Bride and Bridegroom also takes place, in heaven...This is the church that was taken up to meet the Lord before the Tribulation started...
Read the book of Revelation...You'll be blessed...
Why do you think they are the same event? No, the passage in Matthew is talking about what happens at the end of the seven year tribulation period.
It is simultaneous...The living will meet the dead in the air...
Saw that...It was projected on the side of a tractor-trailer in a field with the people setting in their cars...40-50 cars...
That's pretty clear, isn't it...And for those here who may not have a bible,
Rev 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
You don't think those people you refer to as salesmen have done the very same thing???
1 Thess 4:15-17 Dead in Christ rise first then those who are alive and remain meet them in the clouds. Just comforting to those with loved ones who have been called home already. But in 2 Thess the timing of the return is after the apostasy, the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction. Vs 3.
Very clear.
I’m all for it.
It might make big name actors curious...
Always a good thing for people to be curious about God.
You don't have to believe in the Rapture to be Raptured...But you do have to be a born again Christian...
I think along the same lines.
That’s interesting. I have always been taught that the letters were specifically targeted commendations or condemnations. I would not think of any part of Rev 3 as addressing the church as a whole.
Do you think the American church more resembles the church of Philadelphia (the church to whom this verse was addressed) or Laodicea, who has a very different message? Are all the churches in the letters going to share the same fate, or are some not even Christian?
It always seemed to me that the letters to the churches were more understandable than the later chapters whose meaning seems so divisive.
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