The Rapture: And Other Silly Things Christians Get Consumed With

[ChosenbyHim]

I was thirteen years old when I first got saved. My mom took me to an Assembly of God church that was playing the Rapture movie A Thief in the Night. We didn’t attend the church but went to watch the movie. The movie quite literally scared the hell out of me. Or into me. I’m not sure which.
In the movie, Christians are taken to heaven in the Rapture and non-Christians are left to deal with the aftermath. Scary, scary things happen to the folks left behind, including decapitation for becoming a Christian. At the end of the movie, the pastor gave an altar call and I practically ran up front to get saved. I wanted no part with guillotines or the Antichrist.
I spent the next several months terrified that I, nonetheless, would be left behind. My mother was a rock-solid Christian. If she walked out of a room without me seeing her leave, I was terrified that the Rapture had taken her and left me behind. I tried to keep tabs on my mom at all times. If she went anywhere, I went with her.
I kept telling myself that even if I got left behind, there was no way I would take the mark of the Beast. I constantly psyched myself up, assuring myself that when they stuck my head in the guillotine, I would never deny Christ. I would let them take my head off. Being a young Christian was, uh, great! Sorta.
Many years have passed and I don't believe in the Rapture anymore. Prior to the 20th Century, Christians never even talked about the Rapture. In the 20th Century, it became HUGE. It's so inconsistent with what scripture actually teaches. And, no, you don't lose your salvation for not believing in the Rapture.
I like to poke fun at some of the crazy things Christians believe. I wrote a chapter called "The Rapture Bogey Man." You can read the book free (it's free at Smashwords.com). It's called: "iDoubt: When Faith Falters." Some people get deeply offended when I mention a free book. Relax. It's free. It costs nobody nothing. Just enjoy it if you want. If not, don't sweat it. I really poke fun at some other silly things Christians believe, like Y2K was the end of the world, etc. Enjoy.

Hi there renewedfaith, don't worry. No true born again Christian will be left behind. Before the time of Jacob's trouble starts, the Body of Christ has to be removed from the earth (2 Thess. 2:7).

So again; no worries, if you are truly saved, then when the rapture happens, you are going up. Just as every other true born again Christian will go up.

 

[Anonimous]

So zone and Anonymous DON'T need God. They can just proclaim that they have been "saved", commit ANY sins that they want to, and then THEY are going to decide that THEY will be going to Heaven.

Okey Dokey. Good Luck with that.

C'mon...you know that's not how it works, man. It seems to me that what you are saying is that Jesus brought us a shell game. Zone and others have shown you that Jesus came to save us from our sins. As for "luck", we have no need of it. Luck is by chance. Jesus is a sure thing and so is the assurance that He can give. It's all over the place in His word. I would suggest that you look up the meaning of assurance. This we can and do have. I know that I do because of the sacrifice that Jesus has made for me and you and everyone else. The only "decision" that we made was the decision to believe on the Lord Jesus. One can only hope that you will be able to realize the assurance that you COULD have. perhaps recognizing this fact of assurance will somehow brighten your day and life.

 

[Anonimous]

That's not what the NT teaches.


No, through the gift of faith by grace (Php 1:29; 2Pe 1:1; Ac 18:27; Ro 12:3),
WE believe what the NT teaches.


R.Faith did not say the rapture was pre-trib.

Jesus' return is a fact. The timing may be a point of opinion. Personally, I just leave that detail to God. Perhaps we should leave whether someone is saved or not in His hands as well.

 

[Anonimous]

John_S...Has anyone ever told you that you are a natural evangelist? Remember...Gospel means "good news".

 

[reject-tech]

The movie quite literally scared the hell out of me. Or into me. I’m not sure which.

Me too at one point. But -

Ezekiel 13

and

Daniel 6:
20 And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?
21 Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.
22 My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.
23 Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.
24 And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.

And there's honey in the carcass.

 

[Anonimous]

So zone and Anonymous DON'T need God. They can just proclaim that they have been "saved", commit ANY sins that they want to, and then THEY are going to decide that THEY will be going to Heaven.

Okey Dokey. Good Luck with that.

John_S...Thank you for those kind and encouraging words. Have you ever considered being an evangelist. I mean, really! The way you spread the good news of salvation through Jesus is really inspiring.

 

[RedTent]

The word rapture isn't in the bible. When we make understanding all the logistics of Christ' return something we actually argue!!! about, we have to be denying the spirit of the Lord.

Scripture gives us many examples of prophesy that have come through, and not once has everyone understood every word of it that God gave them until afterwards when they could compare it with how it happened.

I have been studying Daniel 7:13-14 prophesying the coming of Christ. The Jewish people were familiar with God giving them kings like David and Saul. Many thought this was telling them of how Christ would be as another David like king so He would rid them of the Romans. Others used this prophesy when they asked Christ if He was the Son of Man these verses talked of, and when Christ said yes, they became Christian as it says in Acts telling of the many Jews who believed.

 

[Anonimous]

the word "trinity" in not in the Bible...yet it is implied and taught.

 

[my_adonai_]

Welllll i have had dreams on Christs second coming and countless people have had The very same, and others of RAPTURE.
but to understand this, it indeed does take a TIME OUT from the things of the world, pastors, evangelists, Christianchat members and just fast and pray for HIS revelation on the matter.

God is not slack concerning towards HIS promise, but LONGSUFFERING towards us that NO ONE should perish but all should come to the knowledge of truth and have eternal life through HIS son.
So really, we might say GOD is taking too much time, indeed HE is why? HE loves us. wants us to change.

Everything is in stage in heaven, the place prepared, butttttt whats not prepared is the church. and I personally see that HERE in CC every time i go through the posts here....

Not that the Road has become larger that leads to eternal life, but the LORD has had endure a LOTTTT for us, and still is till now.

The apostle paul says, the time for our salvation is nearer than we once believed and every sign is there. In the skies, in our government, in the different levels of evils happening in our countries, increase in spiritual warfare, things are tough, the devil is working harder, we need to stand firm in CHRIST or be left behind to suffffffeerr and i mean SUFFER..

Yet the rapture should not instill fear in you, but conviction, conviction of the Holy Ghost. Fear is of the devil, unless its GODLY FEAR then its Pure, and increases Wisdom, And search for GOD and total hate for sin.

Fear that comes from satan brings about the very things you where doing. ie doubt of the salvation you have in CHRIST. OR that you are not ready, and being not ready brings about dilligence in pursuing GOD and not fear ....

 

[Isdaniel]

Welllll i have had dreams on Christs second coming and countless people have had The very same, and others of RAPTURE.
but to understand this, it indeed does take a TIME OUT from the things of the world, pastors, evangelists, Christianchat members and just fast and pray for HIS revelation on the matter.

God is not slack concerning towards HIS promise, but LONGSUFFERING towards us that NO ONE should perish but all should come to the knowledge of truth and have eternal life through HIS son.
So really, we might say GOD is taking too much time, indeed HE is why? HE loves us. wants us to change.

Everything is in stage in heaven, the place prepared, butttttt whats not prepared is the church. and I personally see that HERE in CC every time i go through the posts here....

Not that the Road has become larger that leads to eternal life, but the LORD has had endure a LOTTTT for us, and still is till now.

The apostle paul says, the time for our salvation is nearer than we once believed and every sign is there. In the skies, in our government, in the different levels of evils happening in our countries, increase in spiritual warfare, things are tough, the devil is working harder, we need to stand firm in CHRIST or be left behind to suffffffeerr and i mean SUFFER..

Yet the rapture should not instill fear in you, but conviction, conviction of the Holy Ghost. Fear is of the devil, unless its GODLY FEAR then its Pure, and increases Wisdom, And search for GOD and total hate for sin.

Fear that comes from satan brings about the very things you where doing. ie doubt of the salvation you have in CHRIST. OR that you are not ready, and being not ready brings about dilligence in pursuing GOD and not fear ....

How did Jesus look like ?


What happen people were taken to heaven ?


whatttttttt was it like ?

 

[Elin]

The word rapture isn't in the bible.

The Greek harpazo (to snatch away), Latin raptus (act of transporting) is--1Th 4:17.

The Greek episunagoge (gathering together) is--2Th 2:1.

 

[my_adonai_]

How did Jesus look like ?


What happen people were taken to heaven ?


whatttttttt was it like ?

1st dream)

I was walking on this road here in our country, and suddenly felt unctioned to look up, and i could see Angels many of them coming down from the sky, and in the very middle was the LORD seated on the throne HIM too coming down. I could see a man in a shop drunk and out cold, in a sleep. and i kept continually repenting for my sins.
From a far, HE was awesome...

2nd dream was more powerful but i did not see JESUS here)
I was walking in a particular road, i could see angelic doves go around sealing people, where i reach in a certain terrain and when i looked up i could see Past man of GOD descend, i saw moses, and Elijah (From the dream it was revealed to me their identity), and when i woke up i could feel the whole room full of the presence of GOD, it was phewwwwwwwwww....

THE LORD is nearer, the rapture IS REAL.
and we must be READY..!!..

Those two dreams are sufficient evidence for me of His coming.. .. I pray it is to you..

 

[konroh]

Aren't we forgetting the verses that speaks directly to this?Titus 3:5 and Acts 16:31

5He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,

They said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household."

People, who were saved, past tense, by believing, and by the Holy Spirit.

To speak to the OP, I saw the movie as a pre-teen and was terrified myself. The Great Tribulation is a time that will never be seen again, terrifying, horrible, scary. But I agree that we live by faith, not by fear.

 

[PlainWord]

The Greek harpazo (to snatch away), Latin raptus (act of transporting) is--1Th 4:17.

The Greek episunagoge (gathering together) is--2Th 2:1.

Yes, those who are alive and remaining through the Tribulation will be gathered by the Lord on the top of foggy (clouds) Mount Zion where they are transformed and meet up with those beheaded during the Tribulation. Together, this select group of Christ's Elect will rule and reign with Him for 1,000 years. After the Tribulation, God will bring with Him those who have been asleep in Jesus to the new heaven and earth as the old ones will pass away. That is the short version of what happens.

 

[overcomer2]

I was thirteen years old when I first got saved. My mom took me to an Assembly of God church that was playing the Rapture movie A Thief in the Night. We didn’t attend the church but went to watch the movie. The movie quite literally scared the hell out of me. Or into me. I’m not sure which.
In the movie, Christians are taken to heaven in the Rapture and non-Christians are left to deal with the aftermath. Scary, scary things happen to the folks left behind, including decapitation for becoming a Christian. At the end of the movie, the pastor gave an altar call and I practically ran up front to get saved. I wanted no part with guillotines or the Antichrist.
I spent the next several months terrified that I, nonetheless, would be left behind. My mother was a rock-solid Christian. If she walked out of a room without me seeing her leave, I was terrified that the Rapture had taken her and left me behind. I tried to keep tabs on my mom at all times. If she went anywhere, I went with her.
I kept telling myself that even if I got left behind, there was no way I would take the mark of the Beast. I constantly psyched myself up, assuring myself that when they stuck my head in the guillotine, I would never deny Christ. I would let them take my head off. Being a young Christian was, uh, great! Sorta.
Many years have passed and I don't believe in the Rapture anymore. Prior to the 20th Century, Christians never even talked about the Rapture. In the 20th Century, it became HUGE. It's so inconsistent with what scripture actually teaches. And, no, you don't lose your salvation for not believing in the Rapture.
I like to poke fun at some of the crazy things Christians believe. I wrote a chapter called "The Rapture Bogey Man." You can read the book free (it's free at Smashwords.com). It's called: "iDoubt: When Faith Falters." Some people get deeply offended when I mention a free book. Relax. It's free. It costs nobody nothing. Just enjoy it if you want. If not, don't sweat it. I really poke fun at some other silly things Christians believe, like Y2K was the end of the world, etc. Enjoy.

I don't see anything wrong with you mocking or poking fun at the events and circumstances that the Bible teaches. However, I do believe the Lord will have the last laugh.
[h=3]Proverbs 1:25-27[/h]
[SUP]25 [/SUP]But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:[SUP]26 [/SUP]I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;[SUP]27 [/SUP]When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.

 

[duewell]

NO ONE will be saved until you die and God deems you worthy of being allowed into Heaven. .

time and time again i see people who think the bible kicks in after they have died from old age, sickness, accident,ect. those who would profess such a thing have only read the bible, they have not experienced it. we don't need understanding of Christianity after we die, for then all will already know the truth. we need to experience it before we die, so we can help those alive who don't already know the truth.

of all the Christians in the world, why are so few trying to teach people how to experience Christianity before they die? would you listen to them ? or would you wait for death and the after life to learn what you should have known before you died. no one is waiting for us in heaven or hell to get there and explain to them how it works.

if you think there is nothing you can do while on earth for your salvation, why even read a bible, or try to experience it? don't bother answering that.

duewell
mark 4 v 11-13
the rainbow connection

 

[Elin]

Yes, those who are alive and remaining through the Tribulation will be gathered by the Lord on the top of foggy (clouds) Mount Zion where they are transformed and meet up with those beheaded during the Tribulation. Together, this select group of Christ's Elect will rule and reign with Him for 1,000 years. After the Tribulation, God will bring with Him those who have been asleep in Jesus to the new heaven and earth as the old ones will pass away. That is the short version of what happens.

1Th 4:16-17 reveals that the church will ascend and meet the Lord in the air, not on a mountain top.

 

[PlainWord]

1Th 4:16-17 reveals that the church will ascend and meet the Lord in the air, not on a mountain top.

You didn't bother checking out the original Greek did you???

Check out the words "air" and "clouds" in the Greek as they are used here and you will see what I mean.

 

[PlainWord]

1Th 4:16-17 reveals that the church will ascend and meet the Lord in the air, not on a mountain top.

Or here, check out Joel 2:

1 Blow the trumpet in Zion, And sound an alarm in My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; For the day of the Lord is coming, For it is at hand:

2 A day of darkness and gloominess, A day of clouds and thick darkness, Like the morning clouds spread over the mountains. A people come, great and strong, The like of whom has never been; Nor will there ever be any such after them, Even for many successive generations.

3 A fire devours before them, And behind them a flame burns; The land is like the Garden of Eden before them, And behind them a desolate wilderness; Surely nothing shall escape them.

4 Their appearance is like the appearance of horses; And like swift steeds, so they run.

5 With a noise like chariots Over mountaintops they leap, Like the noise of a flaming fire that devours the stubble, Like a strong people set in battle array.

6 Before them the people writhe in pain; All faces are drained of color.

7 They run like mighty men, They climb the wall like men of war; Every one marches in formation, And they do not break ranks.

8 They do not push one another; Every one marches in his own column. Though they lunge between the weapons, They are not cut down.

9 They run to and fro in the city, They run on the wall; They climb into the houses, They enter at the windows like a thief.

10 The earth quakes before them, The heavens tremble; The sun and moon grow dark, And the stars diminish their brightness.

11 The Lord gives voice before His army, For His camp is very great; For strong is the One who executes His word. For the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; Who can endure it?

 

[PlainWord]

Wanna see something cool???

Gideon started out with 32,000 men but God helped him reduce it to just 300 so that God would receive all the glory. 300 out of 32,000 represents less than 1%, actually just 0.94% of the total Gideon started with.

There are 15.3 million Jews in the world today. 144,000 represent exactly 0.94% of the total population of Jews.

Christians account for 33.32% of the world's religions. How much of the world is killed at the 6th trumpet by Satan? 1/3. Pretty freaky stuff.