[Citizen of the Savage Nation]

An excellent synopsis. The 'rapture' teaching originated from Margaret MacDonald in Scotland, in the year 1830 (see The Incredible Coverup by Dave MacPherson) and the author hit a key point in that Scofield was instrumental in pushing this doctrine in America in the late 19th century.

I would add to some of the commentary of the article, those looking for a rapture are more likely to succumb to the first Jesus that appears on the scene...which, the bible clearly states is the false one. In any event, why would anyone wish to take the easy way out when God asks us to be watchmen in these final days? Seems ridiculous.

[g'nad]

ping fmfu

[GussiedUp]

Bump for later

[LaineyDee]

"The idea of disappearing Christians ... is that we're going to disappear before the storm hits," says Mr. Wohlberg, a Texas minister whose Web site — www.truthleftbehind.org — explains his interpretation of prophecy. "Christians need to prepare for Earth's final days, rather than expecting to disappear before they come."

Mr. DeMar agrees the idea of the Rapture could lead Christians to "cultural complacency based on prophetic inevitability." Another danger is that Christians will be disillusioned if the "Left Behind" scenario doesn't happen.

"Every time these failed predictions occur," he says, "some people start questioning the Bible."

Mr. DeMar certainly doesn't give much credence to people's faith, does he? If you could be so easily disillusioned in God.....it's time for a spiritual checkup, anyway. LaHaye doesn't set dates... nor does he state he knows exactly "when" the Lord will return. LaHaye gives a fictional account of "how" things could "possibly" play out during the times just before Jesus comes. This author has written a very presumptuous piece....IMHO.

[the-ironically-named-proverbs2]

"Mr. LaHaye says he "expected some opposition" from Christians "who hold different views" of biblical interpretation. But he suggests some critics are envious of the success of the "Left Behind" series."

success=$$$ in the Laodicean church.

[boycott]

bump for later.

[RightWhale]

"I'm firmly convinced that the integrity of the Bible is at stake in all this," says Gary DeMar

The books and the movie don't affect the integrity of the Bible one iota. Nor do the interpretations one way or the other.

[RightFin]

bump

[Mat_Helm]

http://www.raptureready.com

[Swanks]

Mr. Wohlberg, a Texas minister whose Web site — www.truthleftbehind.org — explains his interpretation of prophecy. "Christians need to prepare for Earth's final days, rather than expecting to disappear before they come."

So here's a question for Mr. Wohlberg. The Bible gives us direction on many (most) issues of life. How to live. Pay taxes. Marry. Live with family, church, neighbors. On and on. If the Bible give so much instruction on these lesser things, then why, as it comes to how Christians should live dealing with the anti-Christ and the tribulation, is there no instruction whatsoever to the Christian? Who will dare to site a verse, let alone a chapter, a book of the Bible, as to how Christians should live in these times? The Bible is silent on such instruction because there is no need for such instruction.

If Christians "need to prepare for Earth's final days" then Mr. Wohlberg will have to step up and make up some instructions for he will come up empty citing scripture.

[timestax]

Rapture could be described as a "near miss", but is NOT FOUND in Holy Bible. It is a modern made up concept. Again, Christ will come to rule on the Earth. Christians should want to be with their Saviour, Jesus Christ, ruling on the renewd earth from the New Jerusalem. Don't believe me ,read it in your Holy Bible. Look up these key words in a concordance!

[timestax]

Rapture could be described as a "near miss", but is NOT FOUND in Holy Bible. It is a modern made up concept. Again, Christ will come to rule on the Earth. Christians should want to be with their Saviour, Jesus Christ, ruling on the renewd earth from the New Jerusalem. Don't believe me ,read it in your Holy Bible. Look up these key words in a concordance!

[LTCJ]

My personal opinion is that wars, rumors of wars, and massive amounts of one & two sentense paragraphs in the Washington Times, are all sure signs of the end times. Here's to the End of The Washington Times. Good Grief, my high school journalism teacher would have a fit.

[MEGoody]

::::sigh::::: The authors of the Left Behind series never claim that these are anything but novels. Whether one chooses to believe in a pre-trib, mid-trib or post-trib rapture is a whole other issue.

[ColdSteelTalon]

The "left Behind" books are based on a Pre-tribulation view of scripture. Pre-trib is the only well substantiated view in scripture. The others are wishy washy loose interpretations at best.

The problem I have with these movies and books is that Christians can get lured into spending too much time worried about eschatology rather than getting the gospel out so that others might be saved. Our prime mission is to spread the gospel of Christ.

Let pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are in jail in many countries are being killed an tortured for the gospel of Christ. And support those ministries that send them.