Posted on 11/18/2002 8:04:41 AM PST by american colleen
1Th 4:17 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.
This is not the Rapture that many are hoping for I fear
"When times look tough and threatening, perhaps people find a comfort in believing in the Rapture, that God will help them escape events before they become too bad," Thigpen says. "Ideas have consequences. One, the Rapture doctrine ignores the redemptive power of suffering, which is a powerful Christian theme. Two, the Bible also shows that God chastises His people as well as their enemies; believers share in suffering as well. Three, if people wrongly believe Christians won't be around for the persecution that Scripture tells us will precede the Second Coming, they won't prepare themselves spiritually or otherwise."
Just because Catholicism doesn't teach the Rapture or focus on end-times prophecy doesn't mean the Catholic world has escaped popular apocalypticism. The particularly Catholic version comes as a mania for apocalypse-centered apparitions and private revelations claimed by contemporary visionaries. The Rapture Trap writes of the spiritual danger of uncritically accepting such claims, and offers discernment guidelines drawn from Catholicism's conservative tradition.
"What we're dealing with are people who are scared and confused by what's going on in the world today, and who aren't getting the information they need to separate what's real from what's vain and even harmful speculation," Thigpen says. "As Christians, we believe Jesus is coming back, and we have to be ready for that to happen at any moment. But this game of 'plug the headline into the Scripture verse,' or into the latest message from a supposed apparition, is a losing proposition."
BigMack
BigMack
It seems that the "rapture" theory attracts and repels across all religious beliefs, Catholic and non-Catholic. It singles out no one, nor was my reason for posting it meant to.
So are the Mormons and the Jw's and the Univeralists and the Bahi's ..lots and lots of gospels out there..but only one saves
Boy, you guys have a lot of bait threads out today, who are you trying to get banned today?The illuminati and aliens decided its time for you to leave Free Republic. So, they contacted the Vatican, who directed its online agents, specifically Vatican Basement Cell 3b (responsible for Free Republic, the NYTimes Chat rooms, and for the internet hub at Bobs Bait Shop and CyberCafe) to begin posting articles specifically to get your attention.
Because everyone who knows all Catholics are merely agents of the illuminati aliens also knows we dont post things for actual discussion or information.
These people know we only post to bait you.
Since we know you cant help but respond, and are predestined to do so.
patent +AMDG
I believe you're right. Many falsely anticipate a deliverance from any testing....an understandable but carnal expectation.
The true danger is when the testing comes, and they've not been raptured, and fear they've been 'left behind' (because of a false understanding of what and when the rapture is), they'll not see it as God's testing and refining and an opportunity to exalt God by standing firm, but question their faith, God's protection, their salvation, and the love of many more will grow colder still, possibly to the extent they may even take the mark.
Sure ya are, and if one of us slips up and says something bad enough about catholics, you will start pinging the mods.
BigMack
These are nothing of the sort. We know Catholics who are reading these (INTRINSICALLY anti-Catholic rapture books) and we're trying to educate them, spread the Gospel, and proteect them from error.
You guys are so self-obsessed you think its baithing.
who are you trying to get banned today?
By the way, Irisshlass was wrong. We're not trying to get anyone banned. She was a disruptor who did a fine job driving a wedge not only between Catholics but also between Catholic and non-Catholic friends.
Believe whatever you like to the contrary, its irrelevant. And I'll not defend myself further against such baseless lies. Thanks.
Mack, these last few lines address Protestants and Catholics who believe in the rapture (plug in scripture is Protestant, latest message from a supposed apparition is Catholic).
Sure ya are, and if one of us slips up and says something bad enough about catholics, you will start pinging the mods.You mean like RNMom does?
Learn to discern better. Both in the interpretation of scripture you embrace as well as the word of others you take to be truthful.
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