It also shows that the American Evangelical church really doesn't know how to handle death. It is seen as something to be feared, so the gospel is "Jesus coming back to take us before we die."
It's pathetic, because both Biblically and historically, the Church always recognized that Christ defeated death, and not merely cheated it. Death was something to be embraced (though not too quickly!), and martyrs to be revered. It was not something to be escaped through some secretive snatching.
Hell was in an uproar because it was done away with.(Thanks to Kolokotronis for introducing me to Chrysostom's Easter Sermon.)
It was in an uproar because it is mocked.
It was in an uproar, for it is destroyed.
It is in an uproar, for it is annihilated.
It is in an uproar, for it is now made captive.
Hell took a body, and discovered God.
It took earth, and encountered Heaven.
It took what it saw, and was overcome by what it did not see.
O death, where is thy sting?
O Hades, where is thy victory?Christ is Risen, and you, o death, are annihilated!
Christ is Risen, and the evil ones are cast down!
Christ is Risen, and the angels rejoice!
Christ is Risen, and life is liberated!
Christ is Risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead;
for Christ having risen from the dead,
is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
To Him be Glory and Power forever and ever. Amen!
The entire issue of a premillenial rapture is the least of egoistic thinking. Just as our Lord and Savior was removed and cut off at the end of Daniel's 69th week, Church Age was provided by God prior to the completion of the 70th week. When our Lord ascended, it was not for himself, but in obedience to the Father, who gave him His third commission and title.
The Church Age provides the body for Christ which will be purified and become His bride. For those who are in fellowship with Him, there is no need for a Great Tribulation.
Although the posts of many who seek to attack His plan by demonizing the doctrine of dispensations is intended for evil, He is now using it for His good. Myself and a number of other believers remaining in fellowship with Him have been afforded opportunity to further study and communicate His Prophecy which He prepared in eternity past so that His Church may be edified and further completed for eternity future, not by our will, but by His.
Thanks for the post.
that's what get's my goat more than anything else. I'm a Catholic and we don't believe in a so-called "rapture".