Posted on 01/15/2011 10:44:22 AM PST by topcat54
In the past one-hundred and fifty years or so, some Christians have argued that there will actually be two comings of Christ. Believers from the dispensational tradition have said that there will be a “secret rapture” of Christ a few years before His visible return. While even those who confess a secret rapture disagree about its timing, the idea basically says that at some point, the church will be removed from the world by Jesus in order that it might escape an ensuing tribulation. Jesus will then make His physical return some time later, usually three and one-half to seven years after the rapture.
The problem with this idea is that there are no passages of Scripture that clearly teach this view. In fact, the idea that believers are guaranteed a safe haven is hard to find in the pages of Scripture. From the faithful remnant that went into exile with the nation of Israel to Jesus’ promise that the days of suffering will be shortened for the sake of the elect (Matt. 24:22), Scripture makes it clear that believers can and will face tribulation.
(Excerpt) Read more at ligonier.org ...
Sometimes I wonder if these misconception arise because of failure of some Christians to read the ENTIRE word of God.
The answers are usually plain and succint.
Matthew 24:11-13
(11) And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
(12) And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
(13) But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
What part of “endure to the end” clouds this issue?
“misconceptions” plural and “succinct”. Sorry for the sloppiness.
interesting. i had no idea RC Sproul was this far off base. guess i will quit listening. there is plenty of scripture that presents the idea of the church being protected from the timeof testing that will come upon the rest of the world.
Noah and Lot were both removed before the judgement and Christ said referred to each when He spoke of the end times.
John was brought up to heaven prior to seeing the judgement that will take place on earth described in the Book of Revelation.
bookmark for reference
Dr. Sproul deserves our respect and attention. Simply he disagrees with some of us on our view of the Departure of the Church does not mean he cannot teach the Word of God to us in a deep and eternal way. He is from the Reformed tradition. That he is our Brother should mean we respect and love him and not ignore him.
Rev 21:27 “...nothing unclean shall enter heaven”
Matt 5:26 “”...you will not be released until the last penny is paid”
1 Cor 3:15 “...suffer loss, but saved as through fire”
Here’s some more from Paul:
Romans 11:22 - remain in his kindness or you will be cut off
Phil 2:12- work out your salvation in fear and trembling
1 Cor 9:27 - drive your body for fear of being disqualified
1 Cor 10:11-12 - those thinking they are secure,the may fall
Gal 5:4 - separated from Christ, you’ve fallen from grace
2 Tim 2:11-13 - must hold out to the end to reign with Christ
Have you ever considered that there is a small percentage of believersd who are the Bride of Christ (those whom kept their lamps trimmed) among the larger percentage of believers who wax cold? The coming int he clouds and trumpet sounding/call of the ArchAngel is very akin to the then Jewish scene of ‘coming for the betrothed when the wedding is ready’. Another clue is the groups present in heaven at the wedding feast ... we know that no one will be in Heaven except through Him.
Perhaps you could explain your explanation. I can’t tell whether you’re fur it or again’ it.
Here we go again......................
Doesn’t matter, since he’s wrong on this account, he’s probably wrong on others. It only takes one wrong teaching to be labeled a false prophet.
If there is one, my wife and kids will go. I shall remain behind to be one of GOD’S troops!
Actually they weren’t removed. They were technically protected through the judgment. They didn’t leave the earth. They went through it, protected. And they worked for over 100 years building that ark as well. Warning people about the coming judgment.
2 Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps.
5 Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. 6 But at midnight there was a shout, 'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' 7 Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish said to the prudent, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' 9 But the prudent answered, 'No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.' 10 And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut.
11 Later the other virgins also came, saying, 'Lord, lord, open up for us.' 12 But he answered, 'Truly I say to you, I do not know you.' 13 Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.
It has long been my belief that the key perogative is "be ready". There shall be those who are ready....and there will be those who are not. The day and the hour are not ours to wrestle with, but rather if we are indeed among the prudent and ready or the foolish and unprepared.
The day and the hour will come regardless of our understanding.
Why does it matter when He comes or how many times? I want to be ready and go with Him the very first time He comes for me...that said...I do believe in the rapture. Sometimes ones heart leads the way, through scripture. If the Holy Spirit can put it in your heart to believe it doesn’t matter if you can’t explain it to another to their satisfaction. Our focus should be on having a personal relationship with Him and loving Him with all our heart,soul and mind.
? far out dude! To each his own.
Put it this way, I certainly would not mind at all if there is a rapture before things get terribly ugly. If there is one, I would of course rather be raptured than have to go through part or all of the tribulation period.
However, I think as part of the ‘being ready’ mindset, preparing to have to go through it, as much as you believe you need to, is part of ‘being ready’ for that possibility.
Because I see evidence that both scenarios could be possible. Pray for the best case, prepare for the worst. Trust God whatever happens.
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