I’ve tried to stay away from this topic. I really have. Among the handful of divisive topic within Christendom, the topic of the timing of the rapture seems to top the list, or at least run neck and neck with the once saved always saved doctrine.
I’ve bitten my tongue more times than I can count, I tried to find distractions and other things to take my mind off of what I’ve been seeing, but to no avail. I guess something just doesn’t go away if you ignore it long enough.
In the past three weeks I’ve gotten no less than twenty e-mails encouraging me to get my affairs in order, find someone to take care of my cat, (a cat which I don’t have, but I think they were just generalizing to make a point) because the rapture was happening. This time it was for real because they felt it, and we all know how reliable feelings are in regards to God’s timing on any given matter.
And so, patiently as always, I would write back to these individuals, give them scriptural references as to why I did not believe they knew the timing of the catching away, and all I got in return were threats that if I didn’t get on board and believe in the rapture, I’d get left behind just to be taught a lesson.
Now hold on just a minute. Since when is a man’s salvation predicated upon believing in the rapture and not believing in Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, who came and lived and died and rose again?
We’re starting to tread dangerous ground here, and the more the world comes undone, the more shrill the voices of those who cry rapture will become. By my count, just from the people who have contacted me, we should have been raptured no less than twenty times in the last three weeks. And yet we’re still here, still having to go to work and earn a living and feed our families and serve our God and be living epistles of the love of Jesus in us.
In between visiting my family and my wife’s family over Christmas, I got a little quiet time and started meditating upon the book of second Peter. I went through it verse by verse, wrote down impressions and thoughts, and when I came upon the verses talking about the scoffers who would come in the last days asking where the promise of the Lord’s coming was, I began to wonder if these scoffers would be justified in their scoffing to a certain extent.
If we keep asking family, friends and neighbors alike to watch our pets and feed our goldfish ‘cause we’re about to go on a one way trip to heaven every few days, chances are they will eventually start rolling their eyes, and shaking their heads in pity.
It’s not about the rapture, it’s about Jesus!
Believe me when I tell you I am as desperate to get to heaven as you are. It is the goal. It is the prize. It is the crown we receive as ones who having been good and faithful servants are welcome into their Father’s rest.
Desiring something and convincing ourselves that what we desire will manifest itself if we desire it hard enough are two different things. Just because I want to leave this mortal coil behind and be with my Lord does not mean I can will Him into appearing on the clouds before the time God has established.
If we believe God at His word, and come to terms with the truth that no man knows the day or the hour, then we will not live lives of distraction and failed expectations, but labor ceaselessly until that blessed day when Jesus does return.
Matthew 24:36, “But of that day and hour no one knows, no, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.”
With love in Christ,
Michael Boldea Jr.
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Not to mention the fact that 2 Thessalonians 2 says that the rapture (the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him) cannot happen until the apostasy occurs first (uh, check!), and the man of perdition desecrates the temple (not yet).
Also, in Matthew 24 Jesus seems to have the sixth seal occurring (Matthew 24:29-30) before the rapture (Matthew 31).
Maybe I am all by myself in this category, but I could use a little refinement before I look the Lord in the eyes.
Amen! I am a firm believer in the pre-trib rapture and have been for about 36 years. I DO believe we will escape the "wrath to come". However, herein lies the rub, the Bride must make herself ready, Rev 19. Is the Bride ready?! Hardly. We, especially in N. America, have a process to continue in. The Bride will escape The Hour of Testing, but not testings and trials altogether. Have we come into the unity of the Faith? We can't even have unity of Spirit in the bond of peace as yet. Have we come into the full knowledge of Him? NADA! How can a Bride marry her espoused when she doesn't really know Him. How can we leave when the blue print for the Church, Eph4, has not even been followed for the most part. It will be!! When the trying of our faith brings forth gold then The Head and His Body will be manifested to this dying, dark world. I give a warning to those who are looking for the Rapture today or tomorrow. Be careful that a root of bitterness, stemming from unbelief takes root in your hearts. How? Just as scripture states about the scoffers, "where is the promise of His coming?" Do not allow discouragement to come in to attack your faith, and give up. These are hard sayings to the immature(Jn 6.66 and apostasy)It is time for this spoiled culture to grow up. His process must continue in His Beloved that she may be clothed with the white robes of Righteousness and become the golden vessels of honor He is preparing to hold His Glory and Power. The heat is definitely turning up and the labor pains increasing. This is not the time to give up, but become more obedient through our present and future sufferings. The times ahead will be truly amazing and mind blowing for those hidden in Him. His Name will be exalted,not shamed through the Man child who is about to revealed. All will be done for His glory and not to the flesh. The lying teachers and prophets will be silenced through His Zadokite priests(EZ 44)Jesus is our focus and our prize. Prepare for the suddenlies! Can a nation be born in a day!? Allow His Spirit and Word to continue to do His Will,and His Will alone. Are you looking to get out before He is Glorified on the Earth!? To live is Christ and to die is gain. His Will has not been completed. Does this world see a Golden company of God today? It will, when the fires of adversity get hotter and the wine press gets closer. Do only the Chinese, E.Indians, Indonesians, ect go through persecution and we, N.America, don't. If that were the case We, here, would be left behind. God's merciful delay, as D.Wilkerson said, is now so that we all will prepare to be over comers for what is about to come on us. Then His work will be Suddenly and glorious and then we look up for our redemption draws near and then, in a momoemnt, in the twinkling of an eye we will be with Him for eternity. Let this be our Hope in the times ahead.
Amen, brother! If you think the rapture-believers are at fever-pitch now, just wait. It will get worse soon. Unfortunately, some feel 'an errant doctrine is a terrible thing to waste.'
Jesus said, "I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world,
but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil." John 17:15
Susan
Ohatchee, AL
According to the pretrib stance, when it says in Matthew "Immediately after the tribulation of those days" (24:29) it actually is NOT the rapture. However seven verses later there is a verse that is fundamental to this pretrib stance, which you wrote Mike, "Of that day and hour no one knows". There is a problem here. The day and hour Jesus is referring to is a day "after the tribulation of those days" which He summarized in the previous seven verses before verse 36. So people say, "No, Matthew 24 is not the rapture." But point to "No one knows the day or hour" as being about the rapture. So is it the rapture or not? If it is, you have to acknowledge that part about that day and hour being 'after the tribulation of those days'. And two in the field, one taken one left, which is part of this doctrine, is this the rapture or not? If it is, Jesus just said it was after the tribulation of those days.
Love in Christ,
Kevin
I think the rapture doctrine encourages people to just live a life of ease and not prepare themselves spiritually for tough times. This tends to go hand in hand with the prosperity gospel and the name it and claim it form of prayer. It is for people who want to tell God what to do, and see him more as a cruise director than a wrathful authority seeking worship.
They are either deluded or just tyring to delude others to fleece them of their tithes. They like to say that tithing with cause you to prsoper fincancially. Were the disciples prosperous? I think they were all pretty much homeless. They were fighting over who was eating too much at their prayer meetings. They sounded like they were starving maybe or at least not feeling materially secure.
How are you going to be tried in the fire if you are just raptured before needing to stand firm? This makes no sense at all. Most of what is taught in the modern US churches such as this is garbage. Church is nothing but a slick rock concert with forced affections and controlling doctrines. I would rather go sit on a rock than try to strengthen my faith in there.
I must add that rapture doctrine is wholly man-made and not Scriptural and the history of its inception as a Christian dogma three hundred years ago is easily researched. The diabolical weaving together of threads pulled from old and new testament has, over time, created a substantial, nearly indestructible fabric of false belief. No one seems to see the error in the fictional best sellers having elevated the rapture doctrine into idol worship. Let me rephrase that - a fictional book series has captured the hearts, minds and souls of millions, causing them to follow another gospel. The authors of these fictional books are revered as saints.
For years I dismissed it as just one of those theological differences that separates denominations. I tossed it aside as being harmless as one of dozens of Scriptural misinterpretations. I dismissed it asking, “What difference does it make if one chooses to believe there is an all caught up rapture before tribulation?”
And then one day I asked, “If Jesus, nor the angels, could claim not to know the hour or the day, then might I safely assume that neither does Satan?” Thus I concluded that Satan has been busy raising beasts for two thousand years hoping to force the day that he continues to believe, in his psychopathic delusion, that he can win. To understand this one thing opens the door for more questions that puts all false doctrine in a new light.
As I have matured in the Spirit I began to question whether or not believing in the rapture does damage to the Body. Challenging rapture doctrine I asked, “When it does not happen will many lose their faith because they believed in a lie?” There are many who have been deluded to accept that all one has to do to be raptured is to simply believe they will be. I have heard this said from a sincere Christian that she “gets to go because she believes in rapture.”
Is this not the definition of idolatry, believing in anything, even doctrine, as a savior?
Which brought me to the sobering reality that, yes, the Body is sickened when it embraces false doctrine and makes it central to its eschatology. And my conclusion is that not only is it harmful, in this last age, it is deadly because God will not strive with us forever. Either we lock into Christ Crucified as our doctrine or we are blinded by our delusions so that, at the point of no return, we are not allowed to see.
The question I struggle with now is, are the tares who are separated from the wheat those who prefer the lie over the truth?
He hath blinded their eyes, and he hardened their heart; Lest they should see with their eyes, and perceive with their heart, And should turn, And I should heal them. John 12:40
Mt 24:23 "Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There!' do not believe it.
Mt 24:24 "For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. Mt 24:25 "See, I have told you beforehand
A number of years ago i had a rather profound encounter with the Lord. Without going into great detail. HE made it clear to me that the pre-trib rapture was not a minor deception for people would be watching for one event while another was happening
i was rather reluctant until recently to confront this silliness, but now i feel a strong urgency to do so. i know we must strive to reason with love ,but the time is short and many are deceived.
Hisservant bro rich
This week I learned that there are roughly 2.1 billion Christians in the world today. I also learned that 60% of those Christians whole heartedly believe in a pre tribulation rapture.
That is they believe NOTHING bad will happen to them before the rapture occurs.
That by my rough calculations leaves 8 million Christians out of 7 billion people who are hopefully preparing in the Lord as the wise virgin did, gathering their oil for the long journey ahead.
I too asked the question to God, "What is the harm in differing belief about the rapture?"
Three years later after observing certain individuals who preach rapture theology and nothing but i can see a HUGE change in their behaviour and their language towards others. The three that have been teaching rapture and nothing but are now completely intolerant of another doctrine other than rapture theology.
I have been told recently im going to burn with the Jews because I do not believe in rapture. I was told to "Go to Israel and live under the Law" Because that person is going in the blessed hope he said and since i do not believe in a pre tribulation rapture my only option is to do what he said go to Israel and live under the Law and enjoy it he said.
I was asking where are their good fruits? Where is the love of God in that response?
Another told me that he cant believe i dont believe in a pre tribulation rapture buts its ok i might suffer horribly but he still loves me as brethren.
He was saying its ok your going to suffer i wont but i pity you anyway.
Again where is the good fruit?
God took three years to answer my question and he answered it thoroughly. The God they are serving is not Yahweh the father of us all.
It is another God being told believing in Jesus is not enough following in his way is not enough that i must conform to the pre tribulation rapture doctrine and BELIEVE IN IT not just Jesus that is as was said pure idolatry.
Not long ago someone sent me a radio show that was said to be "powerful and amazing!" I could barely believe my ears. They were LITERALLY laughing at the thought of people in the Great Tribulation.
They said i cant wait to look down upon them all and sing BURN BABY BURN! Oh yes these were well known so called pastors who were mocking and laughing saying wow im glad i was ready i wish they had all been ready hahah burn baby burn, and saying the roof the roof the roof is on fire!
Those people are going to get an EXTREMELY rude awakening I hope with al my might they stop and they humble themselves and repent before its too late and take many more others down with them.
It sickens me from the very core.I asked the Lord why is it that I belive the truth and others even in ym family dont? Its because i saught for it i was brought up hard core pre trib now i know the truth.
I understand tribulation i was born into it i have had nothing else but tribulation in my life, its been one hard slog and i am dirt dirt poor but i am happier and brighter than those of my family who have had it pretty easy. Tribulation strengthens you and changes your character into the character being more like Christ.
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