The Rapture Trap

American Catholic ^ | Monday, May 23, 2011 A.D. | Paul Zummo

[GonzoII]

Well it’s Monday and it looks like we’re all still here. The predicted Rapture event failed to occur, and now Harold Camping is scrambling to come up with an excuse. While it’s tempting to revel in this man’s exposure as a con artist, we should temper our enthusiasm just a little bit.

For one thing, though we all knew that the rapture would not be occurring because, well, there won‘t be a rapture (also see Carl Olson’s excellent book on the topic), there will be a final day of judgment. It could very well have happened on Saturday, and it may happen next week. Or next year. Or a billion years from now. We simply don’t know when the final hour will be at hand, and if nothing else maybe this story can remind us to live our lives in anticipation for Christ’s second coming.

Moreover, though Camping deserves much of the scorn heaped upon him, we should remember that there are people who were taken in by this fraudster and who gave up everything because they truly believed that the end was nigh. Writing at The New Republic, Tiffany Stanley explains why we should not be overly gleeful about this past weekend’s non event. Here at TNR, we thought about joining the circus. Last week, when we learned that Camping was predicting the apocalypse, I was tasked with spending May 21—the day of the Rapture—with a few of his true-believing followers, who have been filling websites, billboards, and city squares, handing out pamphlets, and generally warning the world to repent. What an amazing story, I thought. I’ll spend time with people who believe the world is going to end, and then be able to watch their reactions when it doesn’t.

But before long, I had second thoughts. First, I

[GonzoII]

Mt: 24: 26 "If therefore they shall say to you, Behold he is in the desert: go ye not out. Behold he is in the closets: believe it not. 27 For as lightning cometh out of the east and appeareth even into the west: so shall also the coming of the Son of man be."

[MeganC]

Too many people are led astray by the sensationalism of Revelations Centered Theologies. It seems these poor souls ignore the rest of the Bible and just focus on this one book - divining it for previously unknown wisdom as if it were some sort of coded cipher from On High.

The reason this kind of thing is so seductive is because it is easier for some people to deal with this than to answer the very simple question of:

Are you ready?

[GonzoII]

Good points there.

[Huskrrrr]

“Are you ready?”

Amen!

[sr4402]

The Rapture is not found in Revelations. The verses that apply are in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18

15. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Revelations talks about the "second death" of which has no power over believers. The above references the dead which were "In Christ" (Believers). So the question really is, when is the first resurrection of believers?

[refreshed]

1Th 4:16-17 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

The rapture won’t happen? There really can be no dispute as to whether or not it will happen according to scripture. Now as to the timing, there is room for disagreement. Be assured, the rapture will occur, at least according to the Apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

Of course, the difference between Catholics and Baptists (I am a Baptist) run much deeper.

[mn-bush-man]

Matthew 24:40-41 seems to be overlooked by the non-rapture crowd as well:

“Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.”

[CA Conservative]

Too many people are led astray by the sensationalism of Revelations Centered Theologies. It seems these poor souls ignore the rest of the Bible and just focus on this one book - divining it for previously unknown wisdom as if it were some sort of coded cipher from On High.

The reason this kind of thing is so seductive is because it is easier for some people to deal with this than to answer the very simple question of:

Are you ready?

First off, I agree with your premise that the first question to be answered is, Are you ready?. Regardless of whether you believe that the Church will be called out before or during the End Times, or if you believe the Church will remain until Christ returns in the flesh, the important issue is; are you ready for His return?

However, those who do believe in the Rapture of the Church (being caught away bodily to be with Christ prior to his setting up His Earthly millennial Kingdom)do not focus merely on the Revelation. There are scriptures in Danial, Ezekiel, many of the other prophets, and through out the New Testament that discuss the events of the End Times. You may disagree with the conclusions other have drawn from those scriptures, but I think we have to wait until Jesus returns to see who was right. In the long run, as long as we are ready, it won't matter if there is a Rapture or not - we will eventually be with Him for eternity.

Personally, I hope and believe the Church will be taken out of the world before the world suffers the wrath of God - who would want to be here for that? Have you READ what is going to happen before Christ returns? However, if we do have to endure it, then I know that He will give us grace to endure.

So, unless someone is teaching a doctrine that clearly undermines of is contrary to the Gospel of Christ and leads souls astray, let us not become so embroiled in doctrinal disputes that we lose fellowship with one another. That also means not calling each other names because we disagree on a theological point. There are many teachings with which I would disagree with Baptists, Nazarene, etc, but as long as they are teaching salvation by grace through faith in Christ, and hold true to the fundamental teachings of the Bible, I will call them brethren.

[joe fonebone]

Very Profound!!! Excellent!!!!

[fishtank]

Just because Camping was wrong doesn’t make the Rapture false.

By the way it’s “Revelation”.

IT’S NOT PLURAL!!!!!!!!!!

[csuzieque]

This is the outcome when this mumbo-jumbo is taken seriously. The old guy is clearly delusional. I think he’s talked himself into this scenario over the years and it became an obsession. The hardest words to say: “I was wrong.”

[Mrs.Z]

“Revelation” SINGULAR

not “RevelationS”

Check your Bible.

But I do agree.

Only the first three chapters are addressed to the Church.

The rest is for Israel.

[CA Conservative]

Only the first three chapters are addressed to the Church.

I agree, because I don't think the Church will be here for the remainder - we will be in Heaven with Christ until He returns after the Great Tribulation.

[Mrs.Z]

Amen and amen.

[Salvation]

I am currently reading this book. A much different story than Camping's

BTW, this book was written in 1881; you wouldn't believe how accurate it is!

 

Reading this book was one of the greatest graces of my life!"
— St. Thérèse of Lisieux

In the late nineteenth century, Father Charles Arminjon, a priest from the mountains of southeastern France, assembled his flock in the town cathedral to preach a series of conferences to help them turn their thoughts away from this life’s mean material affairs—and toward the next life’s glorious spiritual reward. His wise and uncompromising words deepened in them the spirit of recollection that all Christians must have: the abiding conviction that heavenly aims, not temporal enthusiasms, must guide everything we think, say, and do.

When Father Arminjon’s conferences were later published in a book, many others were able to reap the same benefit—including fourteen-year-old Thérèse Martin, then on the cusp of entering the Carmelite convent in Lisieux. Reading it, she says, “plunged my soul into a happiness not of this earth.” Young Thérèse, filled with a sense of “what God reserves for those who love him, and seeing that the eternal rewards had no proportion to the light sacrifices of life,” copied out numerous passages and memorized them, “repeating unceasingly the words of love burning in my heart.”

Now the very book that so inspired the Little Flower is available for the first time in English.

Let the pages of The End of the Present World and the Mysteries of the Future Life fill you with the same burning words of love, with the same ardent desire to know God above all created things, that St. Thérèse gained from them. Let them also enrich your understanding of certain teachings of the Faith that can often seem so mysterious, even frightening:

• The signs that will precede the world’s end
• The coming of the Antichrist, and how to recognize him
• The Judgment and where it may send us: heaven, hell, and purgatory
• Biblical end-times prophecy: how to read it and not be deceived

  Jesus commands us to be ever-watchful for his return, and ever-mindful that we have no lasting city on earth. The End of the Present World and the Mysteries of the Future Life is an invaluable aid to inculcating in your spirit that heavenly orientation, without which true human happiness cannot be found—in this world or the next.

[Bosco]

The event which Camping tried to set a date for is found in the Scriptures.

His means of determining its date was used by employing allegorical interpretation throughout.

It was a mash-up, but what's ironic is that the allegorical interpretation crowd doesn't see it.

[nonsporting]

The Rapture is not found in Revelations.

Of course it is. Spelling correction noted by others.

Revelation 6:17, 7:1,9 -- The great day of his wrath, angels standing on the four corners of the earth, (9) the great multitude "reaped"

Revelation 14:14-16 -- Son of man coming in the clouds and "reaping" (sharp sickle in his hand)

And then there is Matthew 24:30-31 -- The Son of man coming in the clouds and "gathering" his elect from the four winds (the same four corners mentioned above)

These three accounts mention with differing perspectives the same event--the great day of Lord where he gathers his elect and judges the earth

[CarryaBigStick]

God despises false prophets...you’re in deep doo doo, Harold...

[Campion]

There really can be no dispute as to whether or not it will happen according to scripture.

A "rapture of the church" as an event distinct from the General Judgement on the Last Day? I won't "dispute" it with you; I'll simply state flatly that Scripture teaches no such thing.