The Rapture [RAPTURE CAUCUS]

Lamb & Lion Ministries ^ | Dr. David Reagan

[Star Traveler]

*** This is a RAPTURE CAUCUS thread ***

The following from the Religion Moderator...
http://www.freerepublic.com/~religionmoderator/

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Caucus threads.

Who can post? Members of the caucus and those specifically invited

What can be posted? Anything but the beliefs of those who are not members of the caucus

What will be pulled? Reply posts mentioning the beliefs of those who are not members of the caucus. If the article is inappropriate for a caucus, the tag will be changed to open.

Who will be booted? Repeat offenders.

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Now, back to my own comments...

Some FReepers may have gotten jumped on (in other threads) for posting their belief in the Rapture, from what the Bible says. But -- here -- we're in support of the Rapture.

You are a member of this RAPTURE CAUCUS if you are in support of the Biblical Doctrine of the Rapture, as a separate event from the Second Coming of Jesus Christ (which is to establish the Kingdom on earth).

Those who await the Rapture, are looking for that "Blessed Hope", Jesus Christ coming in the clouds, for His Bride, the Church.

So, feel free to join in the discussion -- in support of the Rapture -- as we talk about what information you have from the Bible, seminaries, church, pastors, books, friends and so on.

We can discuss the pertinent Bible verses, who are the pastors and/or churches who support it, what books are good to read, what is the purpose of the Rapture, the reason you find some compelling, or whatever else may be enlightening and helpful to the rest of us, in regards to edifying, exhorting and comforting one another, in support of the Biblical Doctrine of the Rapture.

Also, another "given" here is the Inspiration of Scripture from God, resulting in an inerrant and infallible Word from Him. Please refer to the "Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy" for a fuller explation of it. Although we can discuss what other pastors, preachers, teachers, churches, people, etc. explanations are, it all does come back to the final authority of the Word of God.

Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy
http://www.bible-researcher.com/chicago1.html

Chicago Statement on Biblical Hermeneutics
http://www.bible-researcher.com/chicago2.html
[this part gives guidelines for interpretating the Word of God]

[GOP Poet]

bookmark

[Star Traveler]

Here’s a good website for study material from a lot of other pastors/preachers/teachers in regards to the Rapture...

Pre-Trib Research Center
http://www.pre-trib.org/

They have a conference every year in Dallas where papers are presented and/or different people talk on the issue.

They have a lot of archived material there, too...

[LiteKeeper]

mega-dittoes

[Star Traveler]

The links above did not come out clickable, so here they are... :-)

About Dr. David Reagan...
http://www.lamblion.com/about_staff_reagan.php

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Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy
http://www.bible-researcher.com/chicago1.html

Chicago Statement on Biblical Hermeneutics
http://www.bible-researcher.com/chicago2.html

[Star Traveler]

Thanks...

And remember, y’all... (in case any of the readers missed it up above...)

—

You are a member of this RAPTURE CAUCUS if you are in support of the Biblical Doctrine of the Rapture, as a separate event from the Second Coming of Jesus Christ (which is to establish the Kingdom on earth).

Those who await the Rapture, are looking for that “Blessed Hope”, Jesus Christ coming in the clouds, for His Bride, the Church.

So, feel free to join in the discussion — in support of the Rapture — as we talk about what information you have from the Bible, seminaries, church, pastors, books, friends and so on.

[Petronski]

I love the caucus system, and I include the Rapture Caucus.

I do not subscribe to these beliefs, but I am thankful that the caucus designation is available to keep discussions civil and free of sniggering—often malicious—disruptions.

I post here only to doff my chapeau to RM for the creation.

[Star Traveler]

Yes, indeed..., there is a time for debating issues — and — a time for studying an issue without hassles...

It’s a good way to do it.

[smokingfrog]

> Pre-Trib Research Center
> http://www.pre-trib.org/

That's a good website.
Why I believe in the Pre-Trib rapture

[marbren]

The most important reason I believe this has to do with the issue of imminence.

I believe in the pre-tribulation rapture. We may have a present day proof of imminence. We may well see the Gog/Magog invasion of Ezekiel 38 and 39 before or after the rapture. God may have kept the timing of this event secret in order not to destroy the principle of imminence

[MississippiMan]

Another strong point that is IMHO in favor of a pre-trib rapture, is found in Matthew 24:

40"Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left.

41"Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left.

This clearly paints a picture of believers and non-believers working side by side at the moment of Rapture. This will be impossible once the mark of the beast has been implemented, because believers will be forced underground when they refuse the mark. They will not be able to buy, sell, hold a documented job, etc.

I suppose one could make the argument that the marking program isn't implemented at the beginning of the Tribulation, but further into it, but I don't think we have any solid evidence to support the timing of the mark implementation, do we?

MM

[Star Traveler]

Thank you for that link. I glanced at it, and it looked good. Do you know what church that this person represents or is it a non-denominational ministry? I did notice that he studied at Dallas Theological Seminary...

[smokingfrog]

West Houston Bible Church (non-denominational)

[Star Traveler]

Perhaps it takes place after the Antichrist declares himself to be god. That would be the time that he would be “worshipped” — or it be demanded that he be worshipped, anyway...

[Religion Moderator]

Thank you.

[Star Traveler]

Very good..., I looked up their website...

http://www.westhoustonbiblechurch.org/

Definitely not a Joel Osteen type... :-)

[marbren]

Another strong point that is IMHO in favor of a pre-trib rapture, is found in Matthew 24: 40"Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. 41"Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left.

You may be correct, However, Matthew 24, to me, has more to do with Israel in the Tribulation rather than the rapture of the church. Maybe in this case and context being "taken" is not a good thing.

[Luke21]

I’m really glad to see this. I wasn’t a big fan of the Day in the Life threads, but I understood that it wasn’t any fun to fight the same ad hominems every day.

Previous rapture threads really deteriorated into all sorts of theological mess. I’m glad there’s a rapture thread and caucus.

[Star Traveler]

You said — “You may be correct, However, Matthew 24, to me, has more to do with Israel in the Tribulation rather than the rapture of the church. Maybe in this case and context being “taken” is not a good thing.”

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Yeah, “marbren” — I do recall hearing something before, along the lines that you just said. It could very well be. It would pay to study the issue and see if some other Rapture scholars have written about that very thing. There’s no use in getting excited about something that may mean something else... :-)

But, as I said, I don’t know for sure, but this is a good place (i.e., this thread) for getting stuff like that sorted out.

[marbren]

agreed. I am not dogmatic about these issues. It is best to let the Spirit guide rather than our preconceived notions.