It is uncomfortable to see, I know.
Galatians 4:[SUP]16 [/SUP]Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?
Feel free to answer what Jesus is talking about in all those scriptural references for the concern given in the title of the OP.
Or how about stick to this one reference instead below?
He is warning us to pray for what reason in Luke 21:33-36 that is a snare for believers to find themselves in when He comes?
Luke 21:[SUP]33 [/SUP]Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.[SUP] 34 [/SUP]And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.[SUP] 35 [/SUP]For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.[SUP]36 [/SUP]Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Hi Enow,
Firslty I want to say thankyou for your response.
I found it kind, considerate and non confrontational or judgemental.
I truly appreciate that and I would say that I hope all of us would follow your example.
I think for me as you probably guessed that there are so many views both for and against the rapture, pre/post trib and so on.
So for me when I decided to delve into all of it basically I lost my head up my backside and got very disheartened because I just couldn’t get it.
With regard to you OP with Matthew I do have to say that I don’t see the rapture in it.
To me this is referring to the ministry of Jesus when he walked on earth.
The elite, rich and powerful rejected the banquet of salvation that Jesus offered. They had no need of Jesus.
Yet the despised, the poor, the crippled, lame and the blind responsed to Jesus.
He went out to them and they accepted the banquet of Jesus.
And they realised they needed Jesus and accepted his offer of salvation.
To eat at the banquet table.
Isaiah 55:1-4
Chapter 55
An Invitation to Abundant Life
1 “Ho! Everyone who thirsts,
Come to the waters;
And you who have no money,
Come, buy and eat.
Yes, come, buy wine and milk
Without money and without price.
2 Why do you spend money for what is not bread,
And your wages for what does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,
And let your soul delight itself in abundance.
3 Incline your ear, and come to Me.
Hear, and your soul shall live;
And I will make an everlasting covenant with you—
The sure mercies of David.
4 Indeed I have given him as a witness to the people,
A leader and commander for the people.
So I think for me If the rapture is in two phases then those who have accepted him as saviour will just be called up to be with him.
I also believe and it brings great comfort
Revelation 3:7-10
The Faithful Church
7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,
“These things says He who is holy, He who is true, ‘He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”:
8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.
9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.
10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
So as I said I don’t really know enough concerning the end times and I found myself being discouraged and confused by either side of the equation.
So this is where I am at, not sure biblical thoughts and an idealist thought a romantic thought as such.
I do not have an issue with rapture being in two phases.
In phase one all believers will be raptured.
As a result those left behind will see that believers have gone.
For the period afterward to final judgement those left behind will see that something has happened.
During this period there is a time of repentance and if they don't then they face the judgement seat of Jesus.
I think what I was trying to convey that for simple thinking people like me who don’t get it that if we don’t then don’t get worried or upset or confused about it.
For those who have a confirmed static view please discuss and not come against each other with angst.
Also trying to say just focus on Jesus every day, walk with him and talk with him.
Afterall all true believers will be with Jesus for all eternity.
And when I am with him I don’t think I’ll ask him “What was all this pre/past stuff, any chance we can play some golf.
I hope I have made some sense.
Thanks Enow for taking the time to respond and with intent and integrity that you did.
Your brother in Jesus.
Bill