Posted on 06/30/2019 7:12:34 PM PDT by grumpa
The problem the way I see it is people are so caught up in the theory of the Rapture they totally ignore what’s going on around them; not paying it forward (the Gospel) - their mindset is Rapture.
That has not been my experience...
It has been mine is why I mentioned it. You tell a Rapture believing Christian you don’t believe in the Rapture and listen to the lecture.
So how do you explain the responses you’ve received to your unbelief ... on this thread?
Just that they believe in this Pre-Tribulation Rapture and I don’t.
IMHO, it is a more advanced doctrine.
Best to use it as a springboard for deeper doctrinal studies to help better understand the meanings, but not by reading into Scripture, but allowing God the Holy Spirit to grow His Word in us.
I encourage those who don’t agree with the Pre-Trib Rapture to have patience and better understand His Word through faith in Christ and what He has provided us in His Word.
For every pro Pre-Trib Rapture there are equal Con-Trib Rapture and the people use the same verses to disprove each other. More heat with no fire. And Pre-Trib is now doctrine?
Not anyone that I have ever known. Paul DID talk about such people in his second letter to the Thessalonians who, no doubt, were sitting around waiting for Christ to return and expecting others to feed them:
Nevertheless, we ARE advised to remember:
we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. (Philippians. 3:20)
So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1:7)
And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. (1 Thessalonians 1:10)
I try to live my life in a way that everything I do, I do for the glory and honor of God and I eagerly anticipate His return. I think if we know Jesus could return at any moment, it will keep us in a state of wanting to always please Him and not shame ourselves. I don't think a heightened anticipation of His imminent return can do anything but keep us on our toes. (FYI...I bold passages of Scripture in my comments to highlight them, not to shout them.)
Well then I suggest you look and keep busy.
Actually, that isn't quite true. The word "rapture" comes from the Latin word in the Vulgate. The term "rapture" is derived from the text of the Latin Vulgate of 1 Thess. 4:17—"we will be caught up", (Latin: rapiemur). In the Greek the word is "harpazo (ἁρπάζω)", meaning to snatch away or seize. The English word is "rapture" and the idea didn't just come out of nowhere. There is a solid Scriptural basis for the teaching.
The word “Rapture” itself is not in the Bible - caught up, yes but not the word “Rapture”. You can do a search on pro-tribulation rapture and against a pre-tribulation rapture and come up with scores of proof either way. If you believe then you believe, if you don’t, you don’t.
I just remembered a saying one of my college professors had that addresses your comment:
"Don't get so caught up in thinking about the sweet-by-and-by that you forget about the nasty-here-and-now." ;o)
Yep and Amen to that.
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