And my argument is that you are trying to assure affluent white American Christians that they will not have to face persecution because, hey, rapture will save you.
But what if the persecution comes and the rapture doesn't come, because the rapture is still in the future? Maybe the next antiChrist will not be the one of end times, but a lesser one like Nero, or Stalin, or Mao, and American Christians face losing their job or being jailed for their belief in Christ?
How many will apostasize because they are mad they have to face persecution instead of being raptured? Christians are being persecuted, jailed, and even and martyred right now you know. Or don't Arab, Nigerian or Chinese Christians count in your version of these prophecies?
The coming persecution may not be the one of end times.
You should be encouraging Christians to stay strong in faith when they face persecution, not dividing them into arguing with each other with a dogma that most Christians reject.
“ And my argument is that you are trying to assure affluent white American Christians that they will not have to face persecution because, hey, rapture will save you.”
Thank you for giving me a second opportunity to point out your claim is nutso.
Believers of every socioeconomic group, color, tongue, tribe, and nation will be raptured together.
There is no back of the rapture bus.
In the meantime, in this world, we have trials and at times persecution.
You mischaracterize what I post regarding the Rapture through your own PROJECTION...
Every true Christian will face persecution no matter what, when, or where they live. Persecution will not go away. The difference is that Anti-Rapturists cannot understand the difference between persecution and God’s Judgement, which is exactly what we are promised from God to not be a part of.
Revelation 3:10 states it very clearly.
God’s treatment of Noah and Lot are other examples. You could also make a case for Daniel being an example of not being subject to Judgement but his enemies were. Enoch is another one that is conveniently forgotten.
Here’s another true reason that even apostates and rapture deniers would have to agree with that whether a Rapture happens or not, the Tribulation is right around the corner.
Have you ever read Revelation?
If so, you know that the technology it discusses in “the Latter days” is something that the Apostles and their contemporaries could never fathom. However, that technology is here today!
1. The tracking of all buying & selling of everybody
2. Events that the world sees live simultaneously
3. Israel back in the world as a nation again
All of those are noted in Revelation and the Book of Daniel. We are that generation! And the above is just for starters. You can look at the coalition for Ezekiel 38/39 that attacks Israel in the latter days. Funny, they are in talks right now for the first time in history as “allies”. Then you have a yet to happen event in Isaiah 17:1. That could happen any day now.
I am encouraging True Christians to stay the course, keep their heads up, and look for their Savior. Regardless of what you believe and your personal timelines - HE IS COMING very soon! All those who look forward to His Coming, will receive a crown. I look forward to that.
Even so, Come Lord Jesus!
Maranatha!