Just so you know, I was born again in 1872. I have been reading and studying His Word ever since, and in more than just English. The religion of Catholicism has twisted your mind to such a degree that you are left with mocking as your response to the Truth being offered to you. As it is and is darkening your heart, Catholicism is not Christianity. Read John 5:24 to find out how short of the goal your darkening heart is.
Hmmm, make that Born Again in 1972. I’m old, but not THAT old. Since your fellow traveler, Salvation enjoys focusing on any typos, I have pinged her.
St. Paul wrote to the Thessalnian Christians because they were worried about those who died before Christ's return. Many in the ancient world believed that a person simply ceased to exist upon death. These was a rumor in Thessalonica at the time Paul wrote the letter that the dead Christians had lost out on any chance of a physical resurrection. St.Paul assures them that it was not so. In fact, "the dead in Christ will rise first" to meet Christ
Paul in his answer to their second question (5:1-12) that neither he nor anyone else knows the time of the Second Coming, there can be no question here of his either teaching or hinting at the imminence of the Parousia, as many moderns have thought. His utilization of Matthew 24 is conclusive of his conformity with Christ’s own teaching on the Parousia,Rapturists make the mistake of thinking "meet the Lord in the air" is about Christ not actually touching the earth.
Paul doesn't mention this 19th century rapture idea as occuring before the appearance of the antichrist and before the second coming is simple: it never entered into his mind that anyone would believe Christ would rapture His Church before the final Eschaton
In the apocalypse, that is referred to as the battle with Gog and Magog, Christians will participate in that confrontation because there will be no secret rapture before it. Our comfort rests in Him who will emerge from that confrontation as the Victor.
THAT is the reassurance Paul offers, not the promise of an escape from the great Tribulation.
Oh so you knew Darby as well
Or is reincarnation one of the many non-Christian philosophies like the secret pre-Trib rapture that you hold?
Really, then how come you didn't see that Jesus equates “born again” or “born from above” with “born of water and the Spirit.”
In John 3:3, Jesus tells Nicodemus, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” The Greek expression translated “born again” (gennathei anothen) also means “born from above.” Jesus, it seems, makes a play on words with Nicodemus, contrasting earthly life, or what theologians would later dub natural life (”what is born of flesh”), with the new life of heaven, or what they would later call supernatural life (”what is born of Spirit”).
Nicodemus’ reply: “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” (John 3:4). Does he simply mistake Jesus to be speaking literally or is Nicodemus himself answering figuratively, meaning, “How can an old man learn new ways as if he were a child again?” We cannot say for sure, but in any case Jesus answers, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, `You must be born again.”’ (John 3:5-7).
Clearly, the context implies that born of “water and the Spirit” refers to baptism.
And read what Jesus Himself prophesied -- that Jerusalem would be destroyed within the lifetime of those listening to Him and his followers should run to the hills
And Jesus' prophesy in the Olivet discourse came to pass - the 2nd temple, the center of the Jewish world (to which the Jesus-movement Jews belonged) came to an end
that WAS the ending of the age
The period up to 69 AD were the last days of the Age -- Satan was loosed and his time was short until the destruction of the Temple as written about in the book of Revelations
And we have Christ's Kingdom, His Church
Let's read more of John 5, shall we?
John 5:28 Wonder not at this; for the hour cometh, wherein all that are in the graves shall hear the voice of the Son of God. -- Jesus VERY CLEARLY said the hour was coming - to his listeners and this is the prophesy of His descent into the dead
Why do you persist in not believing Jesus who prophesied the destruction of Jerusalem in 69 AD? - this is said of folks like that (who believe in the fake 19th century pre-trib secret rapture) John 5:46 For if you did believe Moses, you would perhaps believe me also; for he wrote of me.
47: But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?
How will you believe Jesus' words if you keep harkening after fake pastors?