Do you believe in the Rapture?

Question

In Revelations it talks about the Rapture and Jesus coming for his people, the Anti-Christ coming into power. Some people are saying that the signs are all there that the last days before Jesus comes gets his people are near. What do you think?

Answer 1

Right before Jesus went to the cross to die for our sin, He made a wonderful promise to His followers. He said (John 14:1-3 NIV) "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God ; trust also in me. {2} In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. {3} And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."

The disciples thought He would return for them in their day, but He did not return. After the cross, the Christians were persecuted for their faith in Jesus and what He did for them at the cross. Many suffered torturous deaths because they would not denounce their belief in Jesus as the Messiah. But the true believers did not lose faith. In the midst of their persecution and horrific abuse, they held on to the promise of Jesus' return. When they saw each other in the workplace, marketplace or in their house churches, they would greet one another with the word "Maranatha" which means "O Lord come!"

Now, over 2,000 years later as we live in a world that grows increasingly out of step with the Gospel we continue to wait for the return of our Lord. To us, it's a long time to wait. It's like a kid on Christmas Eve waiting until the next morning to open gifts. The hours seem to pass by so slow, but Christmas morning comes. It's like a teenager waiting for that special birthday to come so that they can get their driving permit. The months and days seem to pass by so slow, but the birthday arrives. It's like the student counting the days until they graduate and get out of school. Graduation day seems to never get there, but one day they walk across the stage and receive their diploma. It's like the couple in love setting the wedding date and waiting anxiously for the day to arrive, but the days seem to come slower and slower. It's like awaiting the birth of a child. The due date seems to never arrive. It's like the middle aged person counting down the days to retirement so that they can spend their days as they please, but retirement seem so far away.

It may seem like a long time coming, but rest assured that Jesus will keep His promise. God's Word says (2 Peter 3:9 NIV) "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

Read more at http://www.lovinggodfellowship.org/jesus_will_keep_his_promise .

I have prayed for you today.

Know that you are loved.

Answer 2

The word rapture is not found in the Bible, however, I believe in Jesus second coming to take us to heaven and that sums up the rapture. I do not believe that it is a secret one though because the Bible says that all eye will see him, there will be a great trumpet, the dead will rise, etc. The signs foretold in scripture are evident and I invite you to look at the Bible prophecies and compare them to now and what is happening, you can start by reading Matthew 24, and the Book of Revelation with Daniel. A good study is below:

Answer 3

There are many different things within Revelation that shows the coming of the end of the world. People who are angry at others - hatred running rampant. Leaders coming to power that should not be in power. People professing things of God and they truly are not. Just read Revelation and you will see the correlations between now and what is written. It is coming, we do not know when - but, the end is near.

Answer 4

I've heard from my Religion professors that Revelation was first and foremost a letter written in code that symbolized the evil times they were living in - Babylon was a symbol for Rome, one of the beasts for the current Caesar, etc. It's a story that assures believers that God is the one in control and that if they are serving God, they will ultimately be ok. We can use this story as analogy for our own times, or even for the big idea of God vs. Satan.

I don't think we should be calculating when we think this final battle is going to happen though, because Jesus said that he is going to come like a thief in the night, and nobody will know when it happens except God - it's no use to try to figure it out! Just keep on believing and living God's love!

Answer 5

The Bible says that Jesus will come like a thief in the night (meaning that we will have no idea when He comes). Of course, I agree that the signs are all here but they've been here before.

People have been thinking it was the end of times since the beginning of times, I'm pretty sure that even Christ's disciples watched the skies waiting for His return.

All we can do is hope that He comes soon and pray that when He does that our hearts are right with Him.

Answer 6

The rapture is most definetly real, although the original Bible doesn't use that word. I can't remember the word it uses, but it was changed into rapture because it means the same thing. I think some of the modern-day versions of the Bible do use the word rapture, though.

Answer 7

The word Rapture isn't used in the Bible. I do believe God will set apart his believers. I don't know if that will happen before the Tribulation (as in Left Behind) or after. I think we are inching closer to the End Times. I would reccomend Tim LaHay's book Are We Living in the End Times? I haven't read it yet, but it should answer your question.

Answer 8

First, the bible does not mention the word "rapture" per se. It is a man-made word. People have been saying these things about the "rapture" for ions. All the bible tells me is that I need to be prepared for no one know the hour in which He will come again.

Answer 9

The word "rapture" is used no where in the Bible. However, it does talk about those who are "dead in Christ" rising in the air to meet Him. As for whether I believe the end is near, I wouldn't venture a guess because it says "no man knows the hour."

Answer 10

I don't believe in the 2nd coming because Jesus already came twice. I do think the end is near because of the signs and that we all will have a judgment day

Answer 11

no. Please show everyone the scripture in the Bible containing the word rapture!
The rapture is an example of people taking an illustration, and applying literal meaning. Net result: a whole incorrect teaching is born and then lives on to deceive Rapturians into thinking God needs to rescue them off the earth before destroying the wicked.

Read 2 Peter 2:5 ;and he did not hold back from punishing an ancient world, but kept Noah, a preacher of righteousness, safe with seven others when he brought a deluge upon a world of ungodly people; 6 and by reducing the cities Sod´om and Go·mor´rah to ashes he condemned them, setting a pattern for ungodly persons of things to come; 7 and he delivered righteous Lot, who was greatly distressed by the indulgence of the law-defying people in loose conduct— 8 for that righteous man by what he saw and heard while dwelling among them from day to day was tormenting his righteous soul by reason of their lawless deeds— 9 Jehovah knows how to deliver people of godly devotion out of trial, but to reserve unrighteous people for the day of judgment to be cut off,
Notice: THE PATTERN OF THINGS TO COME, is to destroy the wicked as the righteous remain on the earth.
RE, those going to heaven? look at Rev. 14.