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The Not So Secret Rapture
reformed.org ^ | W. Fred Rice

Posted on 01/14/2011 5:57:52 PM PST by 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.

(Excerpt) Read more at reformed.org ...


TOPICS: Theology
KEYWORDS: crusades; endtimes; eschatology; rapture
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To: kosta50
It will be interesting to see where I said "God is like a pink unicorn"!

Shall I fetch the popcorn and adult beverages whilst we wait?

1,821 posted on 01/29/2011 9:41:10 AM PST by MarkBsnr (I would not believe in the Gospel if the authority of the Catholic Church did not move me to do so..)
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To: MHGinTN; Hoss

Obviously feeling his oats.


1,822 posted on 01/29/2011 9:44:29 AM PST by MarkBsnr (I would not believe in the Gospel if the authority of the Catholic Church did not move me to do so..)
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To: HarleyD; MarkBsnr; Alamo-Girl; metmom; betty boop; xzins; Cronos; caww; Mad Dawg; wmfights; ...
However, our friend Kosta has been known on frequent occasions to say rather unkind things about the Apostles (especially Paul) and questioned the validity of the scriptures. Comparing God to a pink unicorn would not be a surprise to me.

It has now become SOP to insist that posters go back through 1,000's of posts to find the reference and then the poster asking for this will insist that since it is a paraphrase that someone has lied. It's disingenuous and not worthy of response.

It's just a diversionary tactic when they don't wish to admit the truth.

1,823 posted on 01/29/2011 9:44:37 AM PST by wmfights (If you want change support SenateConservatives.com)
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To: MarkBsnr; metmom; betty boop; xzins; Cronos; caww; Mad Dawg; wmfights; kosta50; Quix; MHGinTN; ...
To answer your first question:

2395

“Theological debate between believers...or example Lutherans and Orthodox is possible as they accept the basics....as in the existance of God and the Word of God being present in the Gospels and Scripture.”

You mean they accept the unproven suppositions which might as well be pink unicorns on Jupiter?

5260

330

507

3813

On the next point, the only two that appear to be missing from your ping are MHGinTN and one Lord one faith one baptism.

me: The Song of Moses is sung along with the Song of the Lamb:

you: This is not OT. It is a NT overlay only. If you wish to quote NT ideas and beliefs that I hold as well, please do. But don't try to make the OT say what it does not.

Clearly Revelation 15:2-4 speaks of the Song of Moses. And clearly, Deuteronomy 32 is the Song of Moses:

And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers; and this people will rise up, and go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land, whither they go [to be] among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them. Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide my face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall befall them; so that they will say in that day, Are not these evils come upon us, because our God [is] not among us?

And I will surely hide my face in that day for all the evils which they shall have wrought, in that they are turned unto other gods. Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach it the children of Israel: put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel. – Deut 31:16-19

And Moses spake in the ears of all the congregation of Israel the words of this song, until they were ended. – Deut 31:30

So again, if you question the Song of Moses reference – take it up with God or your religious leaders who canonized both Revelation and the Torah.

Some also say that the Reformation and the Restoration et al were simply repeated eras of the introduction of new and innovative theologies that depart from the Gospel of Jesus.

The Jews of the first century – who had thousands of years experience, Scriptures and tradition on their side – probably felt the same way about Jesus and the Apostles.

To God be the glory, not man, never man.

1,824 posted on 01/29/2011 9:44:51 AM PST by Alamo-Girl
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To: MarkBsnr; Alamo-Girl; 1000 silverlings; Alex Murphy; bkaycee; blue-duncan; boatbums; caww; ...
If you or I were parked at the foot of Mount Sinai with a bunch of our own, and Moses actually walked up the mountain to meet Almighty God, would you have built yourself a golden calf god to amuse yourself until he returned?

Try reading the account. Exodus 32. It doesn't say that at all. Besides, if you think that you'd do better, or that any of us would do better, you're deluding yourself. There's more than enough Scripture that deals with the faithlessness of man and pride.

1 Corinthians 10:6-13 Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play." We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

If they were perfect, how could they sin?

Because they weren't robots. They had free will.

You're arguing like an atheist. That's the kind of thing I hear from them all the time when they try to discredit God or the Bible.

You can do better than that.

There are a number of societies much more aligned and disciplined than OT Jewry. Look at the Japanese, for instance.

Japanese culture is a mess, discipline notwithstanding.

Nor is that evidence that they would have done any better under the circumstances.

1,825 posted on 01/29/2011 9:45:56 AM PST by metmom (Welfare was never meant to be a career choice.)
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To: wmfights
It has now become SOP to insist that posters go back through 1,000's of posts to find the reference and then the poster asking for this will insist that since it is a paraphrase that someone has lied. It's disingenuous and not worthy of response.

It has now become SOP to make direct accusations and then whine when asked to produce the evidence. Since kosta was accused directly of something, let us see that he actually did it. Or are you attempting to say that he didn't really say what he was accused of, but you wish to brush it off? If kosta openly and regularly made such a posting, it should be easy to find it - hint: google is your friend.

1,826 posted on 01/29/2011 9:50:06 AM PST by MarkBsnr (I would not believe in the Gospel if the authority of the Catholic Church did not move me to do so..)
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To: HarleyD
Please consider yourself pinged to 1824.
1,827 posted on 01/29/2011 9:51:35 AM PST by Alamo-Girl
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To: Alamo-Girl
You mean they accept the unproven suppositions which might as well be pink unicorns on Jupiter?

There is a difference between belief and knowledge. There is a basis for belief, but it is still belief.

Clearly Revelation 15:2-4 speaks of the Song of Moses. And clearly, Deuteronomy 32 is the Song of Moses:

Yet again, you make my point for me. The NT ladles meanings upon OT verse (or in many cases misquotes or invents it) which were never understood by the Jews.

So again, if you question the Song of Moses reference – take it up with God or your religious leaders who canonized both Revelation and the Torah.

I have no issue with the Church. I have issue with Luther's every milkmaid interpreting Scripture based upon the whims and the winds of the moment.

The Jews of the first century – who had thousands of years experience, Scriptures and tradition on their side – probably felt the same way about Jesus and the Apostles.

What do you think that the entire NT Scripture tells us? Why do you think that the nation of Israel to this day does not accept the divinity or the story of Jesus?

1,828 posted on 01/29/2011 9:56:13 AM PST by MarkBsnr (I would not believe in the Gospel if the authority of the Catholic Church did not move me to do so..)
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To: Alamo-Girl

You’re a gem.


1,829 posted on 01/29/2011 9:57:46 AM PST by metmom (Welfare was never meant to be a career choice.)
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To: MarkBsnr

Sorry, when you select the specific verse and purposely exclude the preceding and following verses in Matthew, well, I don’t trust that you have honest motives. Jesus was referring to the thing which had just happened, where Peter spoke based upon the revelation given by God’s Holy Spirit to Peter’s human soul. But I’ve been down your rabbit hole before and will not pass that way for your twisted amusement again.


1,830 posted on 01/29/2011 10:05:07 AM PST by MHGinTN (Some, believing they can't be deceived, it's nigh impossible to convince them when they're deceived.)
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To: MarkBsnr
As I expected. There is no reference where I said "God is like a pink unicorn." I guess when you are used to making up theology on the fly, then I suppose it's easy to twist anything. All the references provided have to do with a priori assumptions and biblical stories of talking animals, etc.

But, hey, I am their favorite pincushion doll. They even keep track of my posts! I am flattered.

1,831 posted on 01/29/2011 10:05:51 AM PST by kosta50 (Pagan prayer to Mithra: "give me over to immortal birth so that I may be born again")
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To: MarkBsnr; Alamo-Girl; metmom; betty boop; xzins; Cronos; caww; Mad Dawg; wmfights; kosta50
This is really the post that A-G asked why you would bother to post kosta to 1797

In reading your point you state among other things: "...So linking Deuteronomy and Paul's epistle to the Romans is not really valid." Now with all due respect to kosta, he has repeated stated that he does not agree with Paul and that he doesn't believe in the Old/New Testament as the inspired word of God and that errors exists. So that makes me wonder, why would you call kosta to defend your position? Given these two issues, our friend kosta seems to me to be the last person you would want to call to discuss a Paulinian linkage of Romans to Deuteronomy.

Is this trying to throw mud in the waters?

1,832 posted on 01/29/2011 10:10:21 AM PST by HarleyD
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To: metmom
Try reading the account. Exodus 32. It doesn't say that at all. Besides, if you think that you'd do better, or that any of us would do better, you're deluding yourself. There's more than enough Scripture that deals with the faithlessness of man and pride.

Try reading Exodus 32 for yourself. Moses was delayed, so they built a golden calf god for themselves to go before them. It certainly amused them to do so - for their own pleasure.

1 Corinthians 10:6-13)

More Paul. And not even related to the Mt. Sinai story.

If they were perfect, how could they sin?

Because they weren't robots. They had free will. You're arguing like an atheist. That's the kind of thing I hear from them all the time when they try to discredit God or the Bible. You can do better than that.

I do not discredit God or the Bible. I merely say that the NT was heaped on top of the OT, changing many meanings of what the Jews have believed for millennia. I am arguing like a true believing and understanding Christian. You say that Adam and Eve were created perfect. Where in the Bible does it say that? Chapter and verse please. You keep saying these things which have no Biblical basis and yet call yourself a Christian and Bible Believer who became that after failing Catholicism.

There are a number of societies much more aligned and disciplined than OT Jewry. Look at the Japanese, for instance.

Japanese culture is a mess, discipline notwithstanding. Nor is that evidence that they would have done any better under the circumstances.

Mess? It wasn't before they started dealing with the United States. And I would state that Japanese culture under the samurai would not have marched up to the mountain of God and started building a golden calf idol without at least trying to find out why Moses was delayed. Or even today.

1,833 posted on 01/29/2011 10:11:36 AM PST by MarkBsnr (I would not believe in the Gospel if the authority of the Catholic Church did not move me to do so..)
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To: MarkBsnr; metmom; Alamo-Girl; 1000 silverlings; Quix; wmfights; Alex Murphy; Gamecock; topcat54
If you or I were parked at the foot of Mount Sinai with a bunch of our own, and Moses actually walked up the mountain to meet Almighty God, would you have built yourself a golden calf god to amuse yourself until he returned?

What do you think this is?


1,834 posted on 01/29/2011 10:17:13 AM PST by Dr. Eckleburg ("I don't think they want my respect; I think they want my submission." - Flemming Rose)
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To: Dr. Eckleburg

1,835 posted on 01/29/2011 10:20:21 AM PST by metmom (Welfare was never meant to be a career choice.)
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To: Dr. Eckleburg; 1000 silverlings; Alex Murphy; bkaycee; blue-duncan; boatbums; caww; ...

Ping to post 1834

ouch......


1,836 posted on 01/29/2011 10:21:23 AM PST by metmom (Welfare was never meant to be a career choice.)
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To: Dr. Eckleburg

BINGO !!!!! LOL


1,837 posted on 01/29/2011 10:24:04 AM PST by RnMomof7
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To: MarkBsnr; 1000 silverlings; Alex Murphy; bkaycee; blue-duncan; boatbums; caww; count-your-change; ..

I didn’t *fail* Catholicism, any more than anyone else who chose to leave *failed* it.

We didn’t decide that we couldn’t make the grade and go out to find another church that would suit us.

Almost all of us who have left the Catholic church after being born again, have done so with our eyes wide open after having discovered the TRUTH in God’s word, the Truth that is contradicted by Catholic doctrine constantly.

The only failure in this picture is the failure of the Catholic church to be true to Scripture, the Word of God.

The Catholic church failed us and there’s no point in staying on that Titanic.


1,838 posted on 01/29/2011 10:28:38 AM PST by metmom (Welfare was never meant to be a career choice.)
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To: HarleyD; xzins; betty boop; MarkBsnr; wmfights; metmom; kosta50
I’ve been on the forum for nearly thirteen years so far, very active and have participated on many theological, crevo, science and math threads.

Along the way I have concluded that there are three types of atheists/agnostics.

1. The first type do not believe and don’t care if you do. They are the true atheists. They cannot be reached. They simply do not care at all.

2. The second type tell you why they don’t believe and want to debate those points. It is as if they either want confirmation or want to be talked out of their disbelief. I do not consider these atheists/agnostics a waste of time. Many of them have an intellectual (or learned) agnosticism – a reduced worldview – and can be reasoned with or witnessed to. To a point.

3. The third type hate God and usually set their faces in particular against Christ. They do not seem to be interested at all in other belief systems.

In my view, Dawkins is of that type and I therefore treat anyone who agrees with Dawkins' contempt for God the same way I would if Dawkins himself were my correspondent:

post 868

"The God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction: jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving control-freak; a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser; a misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully." — Richard Dawkins (The God Delusion)

That's pretty much right on the money. Can you show me otherwise?

All I would do for Dawkins and will do for any of his supporters is to enter my testimony:

God is not a hypothesis. He lives. His Name is I AM. I’ve known Him for a half century and counting.

and perhaps discuss science, math, philosophy. I would certainly repeat the words of God and perhaps answer a question or two about them or give some other background.

But subject the Word of God to hateful debate? No, not me.

"Hallowed be Thy Name."

1,839 posted on 01/29/2011 10:28:54 AM PST by Alamo-Girl
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To: kosta50; Alamo-Girl; MarkBsnr; HarleyD; wmfights; Alex Murphy; Gamecock; 1000 silverlings; ...

Your “pink unicorn” allusion goes farther back than that...

http://209.157.64.201/focus/religion/2618333/posts?page=3036#3036

KOSTA50: “If you use the Bible as you guide, then it would be perfectly logical to believe in pink unicorns and Eastern Bunnies”

Which is like saying “If you use the word of God as your guide, you believe in pink unicorns.”


1,840 posted on 01/29/2011 10:32:07 AM PST by Dr. Eckleburg ("I don't think they want my respect; I think they want my submission." - Flemming Rose)
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