This is another debatable doctrine of the Body of Christ relating to the end-times, the second coming of Christ in relation to the Great Tribulation period. Do you think it will be in the pretribulational rapture period, the mid-trib, pre-wrath, or posttrib rapture era period? We Christians seem to be all mixed-up with these end-times theology about the Rapture theory of the Church!
2006-11-11 13:21:09 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I think the rapture of the Church is described in Revelation Chapter 14:14-16. Note this is immediately before the 7 bowls of wrath (See I Thessalonians 5:9). Note especially though that this is in the days of the 7th trumpet mentioned in Revelation Chapter 11:15-19, which is the LAST trumpet in Revelation, then compare Matthew 24:29-31; I Corinthians 15:51,52; and I Thessalonians 4:15-18; and if you want a 4th witness in the Old Testament, I believe Isaiah 27:13 is speaking of the same thing
2006-11-11 13:39:37 · answer #1 · answered by wefmeister 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most of the time people make this decision just based on feelings or intuition, but not scripture. Here are some things to consider:
The key to this question is: are the church and Israel the same thing? (If so, then Israel has replaced the church). The purpose of the tribulation is to bring about the salvation of Israel. So if the church is Israel, then you are going through it to the end. (Post Trib).
Usually Mid-Trib, or also Pre-wrath rapture people say that the first events are not the wrath of God, so the fact that "believers are not destined for wrath" does not apply.
Even Amillennial theologians (there is no literal 1000 year reign of Christ and they deny the rapture) admit that if you apply a consistent grammatical historical hermeneutic, meaning that you understand what it meant to the original audience and how it applies, you end up with a pre-tribulational, premillennial view of scripture.
Amillennialism and Postmillennialism believe that you cannot take many of the prophetic passages normally, but must be allegorized. So those who are denying the plain normal prophetic reading are in this camp.
With the reformation, much was changed, but they never worked on reforming the Catholics' eschatology. Email me if you have any other questions.
2006-11-11 21:35:45 · answer #2 · answered by Kevin 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When Jesus returns next time we will be caught up to meet him in the air (rapture) This is mentioned in Thessalonians. Matthew CH.24 gives a lot of imformation about the return of Christ. Jesus talks about the state of the world when he will return. He talks about there being earthquakes,wars and rumors of wars,famine,pestilence,nation against nation and kingdom divided against kingdom etc., The apostle Paul had much to say about the last days as well where he mentions that in the last days men will be ever learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth (the acceptance of Jesus as their savior) I personall believe that it could happen any time as the Lord said that all these things would happen in the span of one generation as he said that "this generation will not pass away until all these things be fullfilled" and I beleive it to be the generation which is alive today. At his return we will be taken out of this world and the Lord will unleash the 7 years of tribulation during which time there will be no rainfall for the first 3 1/2 years amongst other terrible happenings. At the end of the 7 years we will all return with Christ to go through the 1000 year reign of peace at the end of which will be the last great battle of Armageddon after which time as we know it will be no more. Are you saved? if so you will not see the tribulation. If nor simply accept Jesus as your savior right now by simple child like faith and you are saved forever. Please read Ephesians Ch.4 V30 "....sealed with the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption"
2006-11-11 22:08:02 · answer #3 · answered by mandbturner3699 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a pre-trib believer. I don't think God would make us go through the Tribulation, He will rapture us before the Great Tribulation.
2006-11-11 21:23:22 · answer #4 · answered by SunShineShoes 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe it will be pre, or mid, but not post. Post would be useless. Each side in this issue have good arguments. It is too brain racking for simpletons like me. If this were an easy problem, we would have it figured out by now. Its just too complicated to take a hard stand on. I am hoping for pre-trib.
2006-11-11 21:29:43 · answer #5 · answered by Terrence J 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Post trib definately...rapture seems to be an invention from the 1800's by the heretic doctrine of dispensationalism.
2006-11-11 21:24:45 · answer #6 · answered by Sandstorm222 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I lean toward the pre-trib rapture because of the verse in 2 Thessalonians, Chapter 2:
6And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. 7For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. 8And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming.
I believe the one holding him (Antichrist) back spoken of is either the Holy Spirit or the Church or both.
2006-11-11 21:33:38 · answer #7 · answered by paulsamuel33 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What if the second coming happens as an individual event for each person at the moment of their death? What if those that do not believe in God are met by a loving angel or a relative that passed on? Maybe this is the second coming He spoke of? I think Revelations was a dream that has total symbolic meaning which we will never understand.....
2006-11-11 21:23:59 · answer #8 · answered by Greenwood 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I believe God will show an ultimate mercy on His children, and keep them from the Tribulation (Thessalonians).
However, I'm not so caught up in the whole argument that it colors the way I live my faith. I'm ready whenever He gets here, and I've raised my children to stand in the same readiness.
2006-11-11 21:39:20 · answer #9 · answered by azar_and_bath 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most Christians aren't really mixed-up with their theology...
most of them just agree to disagee on the non-essential elements of their theology,
just as long as they agree on the essentials.
but obviously it is a good idea to believe on pre-trib... (because of its benefits)
but anyways to debate on topics such as this is oftenimes just a waste of time, as most people can always find a better use for their time, for the Sciptures werent really given for the purpose of debating
2006-11-11 21:31:27 · answer #10 · answered by 4x4 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋