| Rapture - Fact or Fantasy? |
| The title of this website may give you a clue that we are "Pro Rapture." It is our goal in this short study to present our case for why we believe the Bible is also "Pro Rapture." The Rapture is the event when all the true followers/believers in (the teaching of) Christ are to be "caught up" or "raptured" up to meet with Jesus in the air. Many "Christians" today say they believe it but they really don't expect it to ever happen; not really. Jesus compares his believer to ten virgins. They all believed there was a wedding planned and all ten got dressed and came together in the same place to wait. They were equally equipped including lamps. Five believed He would come but were not really expecting Him very soon and were not careful with their oil - their source of light and were caught unprepared. They were not allowed into the wedding feast though in appearance one could not have told the difference between them and the other five who were previously admitted into the feast. It is key to understand that a believer is one who "Keeps and obeys the teachings of Jesus." I often wondered, why didn't the five without oil just take hold of the ones who had oil and stay close. As I studied prayerfully it became clear - we cannot depend upon another's (mothers prayers, fathers, pastors, friends etc) spirituality to get into heaven. We must be equipped individually, and will be judged on our own merits. It has been argued that the word "rapture" was made-up or invented; that it is not in the Bible. Well, the answer is both yes and no. The word for this miraculous event described in the book of 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 is translated in the "King James Version" of the Bible as "Caught up; caught or snatched away." However, in the Vulgate (Latin) translation of scripture the word Rapture was used. So, No, one doesn't find "rapture" in the modern translations; but, Yes, it is found in earlier translations and was taught by the early evangelist and leaders. I find the credibility of those who wish to argue the use of this word greatly flawed. Though it may have been revived during different time periods; it was a consistent understanding of all followers back to Paul, who gave us this teaching (in his writing to the Thessalonians) prior to 60 AD He wrote believers would be "caught up" or "raptured" at the return of the Lord. So whether "caught up" or "raptured" up - the REAL ISSUE - becomes whether one accepts and believes the teaching of the Holy Scriptures rather than becoming entangled and fighting over a "word." I believe the scriptures would instruct and caution us not to, "strain at a gnat and swallow a camel." Whether raptured or caught up, believers are going to meet Jesus in the air. If you are a believer reading this I highly recommend that you go to http://www.raptureletters.com Which provides iinformation for "Those Left Behind." It is a great site that has a ministry designed to Email any one you list with them, after the Rapture. They have created a switch that will trigger itself (after everyone disappears from the earth and after so many days of inactivity), sending a "Rapture Letter" by Email to those friends you pray for and may have been left behind. The Apostle John taught us in 1 John 3:2 that we are the sons of God,.. ...when He shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. John (the closest to Jesus of His 12 disciples) in this part of his writings states WHEN He shall appear - not IF He shall appear. The disciples were the ones who were set apart and given the understanding of the Lord's teachings. There was no doubt in Johns mind that Jesus was coming back to receive His followers. He wrote in the 14th chapter the words of Jesus telling them "I will come again; that where I am you will be also." Jesus also directed US TO STUDY AND UNDERSTAND THE TIMES OF NOAH.
On the same day the Believers are taken out of the Earth - judgment will fall - and in the words of one song writer, "its a hard rain gonna fall." GOD DOES NOT GRADE ON A CURVE! ONLY 8 PEOPLE (Noah, 3 sons and their wives) MADE A PASSING GRADE WHEN THE RAIN CAME. THOUSANDS DIED AND LOST THEIR SOULS. In Sodom all were destroyed except (Lot and his two daughters) 3 people. Even Lots wife was lost because she stopped and looked back Matthew 24:37-41 But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage,until the day that Noah entered into the ark. 39 And (they) knew not until the flood came, and took them all away, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 40 Then shall two be in the field, the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill, the one shall be taken, and the other left. Prepare ye the way of the Lord
here gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall come in the same manner as you have seen him go into heaven.Acts 1:11 An angel asked the disciples as Jesus ascended into the clouds, "men of Galilee, why do you stand Over and over we are taught He is coming again - not walking down the street in blue jeans - but as "King of Kings" in the same way He left - in the clouds. WE MUST NOT PROCRASTINATE - BUT RATHER TAKE THE WARNING OF JOHN THE BAPTIST WHO CRIED OUT (Matthew 3:2-3) Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. As it was with Noah and the flood and as with Lot and the destruction of Sodom, true believers will be caught up/translated or Raptured -- Delivered from (out of) tribulation and the wrath of God. Through out the Scriptures we are shown over and over that God's people are delivered out of God's wrath. Colossians 1:12-15 Let us give thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints. 13 Who has delivered us (from) the power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son. 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature as by Faith Enoch was translated (Raptured) Hebrews 11:5-7 By faith Enoch was translated that He should not see death, and was not found, because God had translated him, for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him, for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house, by which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. 2 Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Be Ready Luke 12:40 Be ye therefore ready also,for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. Revelation 3:11 Behold, I come quickly, hold fast that which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Revelation 22:12-14 And, behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me,to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do/keep his commandments, that they have right to the tree of life, and enter in through the gates into the city. Now in our days, even this day as you read these words (As in The Days of Noah) You are hearing that Jesus is coming very, very soon! Don't Be Left Behind. After the Apostle Paul shared with King Agrippa about Jesus, the king said, "you almost persuade me to become a "Christian." His throne, pride, and what would others think prevented him. Don't allow anything to keep you from making that decision right now. None of us are guaranteed the next 5 minutes, even if the Rapture is 4 years away. There was Noah building an Ark and warning of coming judgment and still the people refused to listen. Just as they do about the Rapture today. People laugh at those who would warn of His return in this day of 2008 and brand us "Bible Thumpers." One of the primary laws of debate is to destroy the credibility of your opponent's position. Second, compare their position with other similar positions that were tried and failed. Then if all else fails "the enemy tells us it is so far off it doesn't matter anyway. Look around you and listen to all the reasons why you should NOT believe the Rapture is coming. Out of an entire Planet of People only 8 Souls were saved (in the Ark) from the wrath of Almighty God! Multitudes were destroyed. 1 Peter 3:20 ...the longsuffering of God waited (100 years and none repented) in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved. The Generation that lived in the day of Noah's Ark was swept away in the flood, and they all drowned. The ones inside the Ark were saved from the wrath of God. This Generation (You and I) also have an Ark to rescue us, The name of our Ark is Jesus the Christ, the Son of the Living God." That is a quote from Peter a disciple of Jesus. And Jesus said "flesh and blood has not revealed this to you; but the Spirit of God," Jesus confirmed Peter's statement was a Heavenly Truth. Jesus is who He says He is; and is going to do what He said He would do; Return for His Believers. Read John chapter 14. Now is the time to accept Jesus Christ into your heart, and repent of your sinful nature. The people in Noah?s day mocked, and made fun. Why? Because Noah taught and said things that were outside the normal thoughts and beliefs of his day. Listen to me my friend, ?Wrong is wrong if everyone agrees to it; and Right is still right if no one agrees with it.? GOD DOES NOT GRADE ON A CURVE! ONLY 8 PEOPLE MADE A PASSING GRADE WHEN THE RAIN CAME. THOUSANDS DIED AND LOST THEIR SOULS. Guess what? The storm did come, and water fell beyond human comprehension! The Rapture will also come. Are you Rapture Ready? You are reading these words for a reason! I believe it is because God is calling you out before He closes the door. Most will not come to this site at all; the majority that do will have already returned to a TV program or some other activity; you are one of the very few who have read this far. PLEASE, do not ? at this point ? fail to invite Him into your heart. Jesus said, many are called but few are chosen. You are one of the called. You do not want to stand before God in Judgment and say, I ?almost? believed. Now Is The Time to be Looking, Watching, and Ready for Jesus Christ! The Rapture is an Inevitable, a Miraculous Experience, that will change everything in the Twinkling of an Eye! ************Don't Be Left Behind************ It will happen in the Twinkling of an eye! Too fast for an ?Oops? let me repent now. We were all created with an eternal spirit. It will live forever in Heaven or Hell. The Lake of fire was not created for humans. God made it for Satan and his rebellious spirits. However, those who follow him in rebellion toward God Will share in his fate. ************Don't Be Left Behind************ |