and also if there is an accepted time line as to when it will come about?
2006-12-07 11:34:22 · 29 answers · asked by Steven Keith 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The emphasis upon the "rapture" It is a somewhat recent interpretation/re-reading of references to the Second Coming in Revelations.
The thing I find most disturbing about the Rapture is how there are all these rich white people running around with bumper stickers on their SUV's reading, "In case of Rapture, this vehicle will be unmanned." Talk about arrogance! I wouldn't doubt it if Jesus had those guys at the top of his list of selfish pricks to leave behind.
2006-12-07 11:51:49 · answer #1 · answered by magistra_linguae 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The part that says that two people will working in the field, in the blink of an eye one will simply vanish. It does not say if it will be the believer or the non-believer, but it was enough to combine with other scriptures that basically had nothing to do with it, like the "dead in Christ will rise first", for some 12th century "bible scholar" to start the theory. The two scriptures have nothing to do with each other, but he stuck them together in an effort to make people believe they wouldn't have to go thru the horrible tribulation. When Christ comes from the sky is at the end of the tribulation, right before the final wrath, that is when the real "taking up" or "rapture" will happen, so the entire pre-trib rapture thing makes no sense, considering that Christ only comes back once, and a pre-trib rapture would make it twice. And if we were all raptured away before the tribulation, who exactly would be getting their heads lopped off? It won't be like the Left Behind novels, thats just more theologians following the silly pretrib rapture theory.
I've always wondered about that "one will be left in the field thing" too, who says its the believer? In the flood, it was the bad guys who disappeared, so it would be very possible that this is when He disposes of the evil. Just another theory to throw out there.
Sam, sorry, the word rapture does not appear in the bible.
2006-12-07 19:49:04 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
It was popularized in the early 1800s by John Darvey who coined the word "rapture" and developed the concept from the visions of a teenage girl who saw Christ returning to Earth twice in the end times. He pointed to 2 obscure bible passages as "proof" of the Rapture.
As to when it will occur the two paraphrased passages below give the Biblically supported time line for the end of days, whether or not John Darvey was right and a rapture will occur remains to be seen.
The day of the lord cometh like a thief in the night.
Not the son, only the father knows the day and time.
2006-12-07 19:46:54 · answer #3 · answered by b_plenge 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The "Rapture" is when God will end the world as we know it. It is explained in the last chapter of the Bible (Revelation). John, one of Jesus's disciples wrote this book after a vision from Christ.
The Rapture is a complicated series of events that start when Jesus descends to earth, gathers His followers and then God will begin to destroy the earth and all that is left in it. Those who are not followers of Christ will remain while all of the destruction goes on.
We have no way to know when this will occur, many people have tried to predict it but only God knows and it will happen in a "twinkling of an eye" according to the Bible.
Most Christians believe that it will happen only after the gospel has been spread though out the world.
Although it's not completely accurate, the Christian fiction "Left Behind" series of books by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins are super exciting to read and will give you a better understanding what will happen during the rapture. The first one is called simply, "Left Behind". If you like to read exciting "survival" stories, you'll love these books.
Hope this helps and may God bless your quest for understanding.
2006-12-07 19:57:18 · answer #4 · answered by pamv 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The rapture is not biblical. The theory was created less than 150 years ago by a group of Dispensational Millenialists.
And, if a person does choose to believe in the rapture, then no, there also is no timeline. Christ Himself said NO ONE knows the time except the Father...not even the Son.
2006-12-07 19:39:11 · answer #5 · answered by Matt 2 · 5⤊ 1⤋
The present King James version of the Bible was written by monks about the year 400. They translated previous versions of the Bible. No one is allowed to see those previous versions. There is a lot of skepticism that they added some things on their own. Think of the powerful position they were in. They were re-writing the rule book and no one is allowed to see the previous books. The "Rapture" theory along with the "Tithes" theory may have been started about the year 400.
2006-12-07 19:51:04 · answer #6 · answered by The professor 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The "theory" started with a 15 year old girl named Margaret MacDonald in Scottland in 1830 and some religious guy advocated it in 1860 in New Age religions.
It actually comes from the Biblical Revlations, but no where in the Bible will you see that word, Rapture.
It's used to describe God taking us all up for judgement.
You can also use the Star Trek term BEAM US UP.
It means the same thing.
It's even more NEW AGE!
2006-12-07 22:36:43 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The rapture "theory" got started because it is plainly taught in the Bible. (I Thessalonians 4:13-18 and see also I Corinthians 15:51-54)
As for time lines, see Chapter five of I Thessalonians.
No man knows the day or hour, but we can know the times and seasons (See Luke 21)
2006-12-07 19:41:20 · answer #8 · answered by wefmeister 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I'm not sure when it started, but the Left Behind books definatly poplularized it. However, it is probably very old as it is prophesised in the Bible. There is no definate time frame, but most say very soon. Some theories involve the outlaw of religion, and then the rapture will take place.
2006-12-07 19:40:07 · answer #9 · answered by firedupdawg 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well, the rapture is scripturally based, however the term itself is not in the Bible. Sort of like Trinity. Human concept or term for a scriptural happening. It is discussed in revelation when John tells of the dead in Christ being taken up to join Him at the wedding feast. The taking up of His people is what the rapture refers to. There is no given time...I come as a thief in the night...only the Father knows the exact day and hour.
2006-12-07 19:38:41 · answer #10 · answered by mortgagegirl101 6 · 4⤊ 1⤋