The Not So Secret Rapture

reformed.org ^ | W. Fred Rice

[topcat54]

Evangelical book catalogs promote books such as Planet Earth: The Final Chapter, The Great Escape, and the Left Behind series. Bumper stickers warn us that the vehicle’s occupants may disappear at any moment. It is clear that there is a preoccupation with the idea of a secret rapture. Perhaps this has become more pronounced recently due to the expectation of a new millennium and the fears regarding potential Y2K problems. Perhaps psychologically people are especially receptive to the idea of an imminent, secret rapture at the present time. Additionally, many Christians are not aware that any other position relative to the second coming of Jesus Christ exists. Even in Reformed circles there are numerous people reading these books. Many of these people are unaware that this viewpoint conflicts with Scripture and Reformed Theology.

[topcat54]

God never changes.  

  I wish I had a nickel for every time that truth has been abused to support some questionable teaching. 

[Quix]

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh besss dem poh put-upon Rabid Clique RC's.

Please someone, quick, put some sugar in the center of a white hanky and tie a string around it so they can suck on it.

At least give them some pats on their pointy tearful heads.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh playing the Stations

Of The Stations Of The White Hanky

cards again! Sooooooooooooo impressive!

1. Icon to bearing false witness 2. Black/white icon of duplicity, double standard dance 3. The icon to the doctrine of--when all else fails--kill the messenger. 4. Icon to chronically changing the subject 5. Icon of obfuscations to the supreme degree 6. Icon of the rubber bible 7. Icon of the rubber history texts 8. Icon of the rubber daffynitionary 9. Icon of the rubber logic text 10. Icon of hubris to the supreme degree 11. Groping for any explanation but the truth 12. Icon to the holy flip-flops in word meanings and arguments 13. Icon to the kill-the-messenger-in-worshipful-behalf-of-mary strategy 14. Icon to the fantasized divine right, to be correct, pristinely sanctified & perfectly flawless in all respects in all cases all the time, regardless of the REAL TRUTH. 15. Icon to chronic & obsessive inconsistency. 17. Icon to the undivine right of terminal snootiness to the max. 18. Golden bucket icon to the undivine right of throwing rocks at proddys.

[presently no screen name]

Is this discussion done in/with love for each other held in mind and answers created in such a way as to be kind and show loving intentions?

Speaking The Truth is love. As you see many come vehemently against it. Nothing new under the sun. Truth doesn't bow to evil nor will It be suppressed by it. PC is the opposite of Truth.

[Quix]

Thanks for your Biblical, wise and accurate words yet again.

However, Christ did at times call folks

—white washed tombs;
—vipers;
—sons of satan.

When I encounter similar attitudes as plagued Him, I’m willing to call a spade a spade.

Yeah, there’s plenty room for sobering error and we will certainly be judged according to the criteria we use.

Nevertheless, a lot of these obnoxious sorts have been throwing irrational and VERY UNBIBLICAL rocks my direction for a LOT of years. The evidence they have listed hereon is extensive in terms of the absurdities, destructiveness etc.

I think your point about insecurities is very apt. However, these characters are also very very VERY STRONG personalities regardless of their fragilities in various areas.

If they can so brazenly and so relentlessly throw out their garbage making ALMIGHTY GOD out to be a liar about HIS EVERLASTING PROMISES TO ABRAHAM, ISAAC AND JACOB

then they can jolly well learn to handle the responses such outrages engender.

imho.

[Quix]

INDEED.

THX.

[Quix]

You must think I keep track!

LOL.

[presently no screen name]

Get your first nickle from satan - he started distorting Truth in the garden. Nothing new under the Sun.

Psalm 122:6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love you.

Psalm 29:11 The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.

Psalm 102:14 For her stones are dear to your servants; her very dust moves them to pity.

Isaiah 66:10 “Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice greatly with her, all you who mourn over her.

Jeremiah 29:7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”

[Quix]

Fascinating . . .

how “pimping”

outrageous assertions that make ALMIGHTY GOD OUT TO BE A LIAR

is evidently considered quite “Christian.”

Sheesh. What hubris!

[Gargantua]

All that you posted is true, unless you think that those scriptures were intended to mean only those of Faith. God chose all mankind to be His children, and gave that same gift to all of us. It is nonetheless true that only those who (metaphorically speaking) "open that door when Jesus knocks" who actually receive this gift that God gave to all of us.

When God made man it was that we should all be His children, He chose us, over the animals, over the angels, to be His children. All of us. The smaller number who, after "The Fall," have received Christ's gift through Faith are not the only ones to whom God offers this gift, nor are we alone "the elect" as God makes this offer to all mankind.

That is the difference between the Truth of Scripture's teaching, and the Calvinist twist which would make the "saved" somehow special. We are just as vile a pack of sinners as are those who have not Faith. We are merely saved because of our Faith. Anyone who says otherwise makes a liar out of Christ, and diminishes what He accomplished on the cross.

[Vegasrugrat]

God is in them and will open their eyes as they are ready for knowledge and growth. They will be spending time in His Word if they are seeking in truth.

Perhaps I am being simplistic but I trust God to be Omniscient, Omnipotent, and Omnipresent, and He will enlighten all who in truth seek to know Him.

Blessed be the LORD!

Might be simplistic, but still truthful.

[geologist]

God sees the heart of man. I do not see their heart. I agree they do seem to be in error and they are adamant about it, yet it is not my job to straighten them our as it were. It is good to declare truth and let it work it's way.

” For the Word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of the soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 KJV

We are the hands and feet, and voice of God on earth. When we do our part, God does the rest.

MATTHEW 5:44" ... and Pray for those that despitefully use you and persecute you."...

_______________________________________________________

"Matthew 5:44 (King James Version) 44.But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you."

____________________________________________________________

Thank you for your presenting God's Word in clarity. That is it!

“May we hear well done my good and faithful servant.”

__________________________________________________________

[GiovannaNicoletta]

http://gracethrufaith.com/revelation-times/revelation-2-and-3-seven-letters-to-seven-churches-part-2/

When you have a few minutes. Scroll down a little for the article.

[Quix]

Thanks yet again for your very wise and very Biblical words and exhortations.

I essentially agree.

I suppose I will likely persistently apply same differently than you would. You’re likely a much loftier saint than I am. LOL. Sigh.

I do care for all involved. I do pray for all involved.

I have a mandate to be me . . . as God made, trained, taught, conditioned me to be . . . not someone else. It’s challenging enough to be me! LOL.

PLEASE ALWAYS FEEL FREE TO EXHORT ME—PUBLICLY OR OTHERWISE AS YOU SEE FIT.

[topcat54]

 Get your first nickle from satan - he started distorting Truth in the garden. Nothing new under the Sun 

Satan's claim wasn't "God never changes.". Quite the opposite. This is a new tactic.  

Are you familiar with all the NT says about Jerusalem?

[Quix]

Thanks. May get to it this evening.

[CynicalBear]

>>You’re treating his somewhat unclear words as if there are infallible and trump all other arguments.<<

Unclear? Only those trying to twist them to conform to a preconceived belief system would read them any other way. Revelation was clearly written between 90 and 96AD. Not only was that confirmed by Irenaeus but fits with other Biblical prophecy.

[presently no screen name]

Satan's claim wasn't "God never changes.". Quite the opposite. This is a new tactic.

WOW!! Who said satan claimed that? Are you not aware of satan twisting what God said? I guess I gave you too much credit since you are posing as one who knows The Word. I didn't realize I had to post Scripture and explain it to you. It should be common knowledge to anyone claiming Christianity.

Are you familiar with all the NT says about Jerusalem?
You don't even know the beginning of The Bible - and how satan twisted God's Word to deceive and you THINK you will enlighten me? LOL! I KNOW Jesus, The Word. 'man' doesn't instruct me. The Holy Spirit is My Teacher and that's Scriptural.

Rev 22:13
"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

GOD NEVER CHANGES - HIS WORD never changes. His WORD always was and always will be. It's ALL about Jesus, The Word!

[MarkBsnr]

White hanky? You mean this Pentecostal hanky from Peter Popoff? The huckster and idiot who thinks that the US issues 25 dollar bills as currency? Or did you have another white Pentecostal hanky in mind?

From Peter Popoff: December 1997.
Dear Brother Smith,

I have been reaching out to God on your behalf ever since I heard from you. I have been praying and listening for God’s Word concerning your needs and your special blessing. I’ve heard the voice of the Lord concerning these needs and also another need that you have in your life.

THE LORD IS LEADING ME TO LOAN YOU MY “FAITH HANDKERCHIEF”

TO START A MIRACLE IN YOUR LIFE.

Brother Smith, God has kept you on my heart. God has awakened me at night and I have sat up in my bed with tears running down my cheeks, crying out to God for You! You must listen to me.

I said, “Lord, You sent the Smith family to me. I know You did. I am praying for You to send to the Smith family the same kind of blessing, the same kind of great miracle, that only You can send. Lord, through this anointed red Bible Handkerchief send the Smith family the same kind of miracle You sent to dear Sister Davies in Los Angeles when she needed that $1,778.00 miracle. Lord, remember how in that powerful service we were having Sister Davies proved You, according to Malachi 3:10, with the largest bills she said she had in her billfold that day, ($25.00 that she needed) and then You blessed her with that $1,778.00. John, as I kept praying I said` “Lord, I know you are no respecter of persons. I know as surely as You honored the faith and obedience of Your servant Paul, Your anointed instrument for his generation, and .. through their faith and obedience the people with needs received a special TOUCH as the handkerchief from his body touched them I feel deeply that You will honor my faith and obedience as I take Your healing power to my generation. I know, Lord, you won’t perform a SPECIAL MIRACLE for one and not for another who acts with the same faith and obedience. Lord, I ask you to do it again. Send the same kind of miracle this time for John. Let your miracle power flow to 123 Main. Through this anointed Faith Handkerchief let great miracles start happening in Chicago.” . . . .

John, God spoke to my heart and mind and said, “Send the Smith family your anointed faith handkerchief just like the apostle Paul sent out handkerchiefs in Acts 19:11 12 if you really want the Smith’s to be blessed. If I moved for the apostle Paul, I will also move for the Smith family for I am no respecter of persons.”

I have obeyed God and loaned you my faith handkerchief. Now I want you to print your name on it. It is a must! I must have your name on my handkerchief!

BROTHER SMITH, DON’T MISS GOD. FOLLOW THESE FAITH INSTRUCTIONS EXACTLY IF YOU WANT THE MIRACLE I HAVE CLAIMED FOR YOU. HERE IS HOW USE MY FAITH HANDKERCHIEF.

Acts 19:11-12 says: “And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them and the evil spirits went out of them.”

Now I am obeying God and loaning you my blessed handkerchief. I use the word “loan” because I must send my faith handkerchief to another family who has a need after you use it and print your name on it. Please do not keep my handkerchief! I must send it to another family when you send it back. You will not need it after tonight, John.

Here are the faith steps you are to take, in Jesus’ Name:

1. Print your name in the center of my handkerchief. Yes, either print or write your name.

2. John, open your Bible to Acts, Chapter 19, Verses 11 and 12.

3. Lay my faith handkerchief with your name printed on it on this scripture and leave it there for tonight only. Only one night without fail.

Please, Brother Smith, in the morning get my “Faith Bible Handkerchief out of your Bible, place it into this self addressed envelope and return it to me. I will pay the postage for you. This is so important! I repeat, do not keep this “Faith Handkerchief” and please do not break this flowing of God’s spirit from my home here in Upland to your home there in Chicago. Rush my “Faith Handkerchief”, which I have felt led to loan you tonight, back to me for I must write you something in the Spirit that is coming to your door. I must take this handkerchief (with your name on it) and hold it in my hands and pray a special prayer for you. I feel a special miracle for you and someone you love.

Right now, I am asking you to get out your largest bill. God sees your sacrifice, and it will be a sacrifice. God sees. It may be a $50.00 bill or $25.00. It may be a check. But step out in faith and give it to the work of Jesus Christ as a seed. Now give God a sacrificial offering. Give your biggest bill (or check). If it is a $50.00 bill, or $25.00. God sees. And ask God for His best blessings to be bestowed upon you.

The Holy Spirit is in this letter and is speaking to you now while you read these words. Please obey the Holy Spirit. The greater your sacrifice, the greater your blessings. I am waiting on this powerful “Faith Handkerchief” back from you.

Peter Popoff

[MarkBsnr]

You must think I keep track! LOL.

Of your unsubstantiated claims? Obviously not.

[MarkBsnr]

Does this mean that you intend to continue issuing unsubstantiated claims and then whining when you are called on it?

Perhaps we can use Rex Humbard's nail to pin your claims down: