When christians say they're glad they won't be here for the tribulation, isn't that more proof of 'belief' ...

Question

....induced by fear?

Answer 1

Errr.... Do you know of another reason to be a Christian?

Answer 2

First, the majority of Christians don't believe in the "rapture" and the "tribulation" although most fundamentalist Christians do (remember, Catholics, Lutherans, Presbyterians, and even Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons are, by definition, Christian too, though fundamentalists would deny that).

Having said that, of COURSE it's an example of belief induced by fear. Do as we tell you God wants you to do, believe as we tell you God wants you to believe, or go to hell. Live the way WE say, or suffer through the tribulation (which, as a 7-year event described by those who believe in the "rapture", isn't even mentioned in the Bible).

For many, many fundamentalists, though not all, it's all about controlling people, and manipulating emotions ranging from ecstasy to fear is a great and proven way to do so.

Answer 3

The tribulation is God's wrath on the ungodly and a time when evil is loosed to persucute the Christians and Jews. God's people will not suffer from God's wrath, but they will suffer from Satan's wrath. Have no fear unless you fear death. Why should going thru the tribulation be anymore fearful than being killed in a car wreck, dying slowly from cancer, murdered by a terrorist, eaten by a lion, etc. The Christian thru Christ has overcome the fear of death. IF the tribulation should occur during our lifetime, I do believe the Church will go thru it. I believe the Left Behind series is one of the greatest deceptions. I would encourage you to read your Bible again and again and again, etc. As the Word of God abides in you and you abide in the Word of God Jn 8:30-31 and Jn 15:7-8 you will know truth and the Truth will set you free. You won't worry about the tribulation, even if it does occur in our lifetime, if you have the Word of God abiding in you, you will have such tremedous spiritual power to be an encouragement to others and you will be able to glorify God no matter what the circumstance.

Answer 4

This is a hard question to answer "correctly", I think. ~ If a Christian says he is afraid of tribulation, that means he is afraid of the VERY thing his religion is waiting for and wanting....to be freed of all sins at that time and go to Heaven to be with Jesus. I think, even if one were to KNOW that they were going to Heaven, They might still be afraid to leave the one world he is used to--like separation anxiety, maybe. ~ Belief induced by fear is what I would call preaching and witnessing "hellfire and damnation" sermons

Answer 5

Only a small, and very vocal minority of Christians believe in the 'tribulation.' Dispensationalists (those who believe in the rapture and the tribulation) make up approximately 2% of the Christian population. Unfortunately, that 2% is concentrated into the religious right here in the US, and is very active in televangelism, publications and politics.

The answer to your question, by the way, is yes; dispensationalist theology thrives on fear.

Answer 6

There is a lot of proof of fear-induced belief, and fear-mongering. It is evident in many of the messages that have been posted here. If your parents told you that you would burn in Hell for doing certain things, wouldn't you be afraid? I was told that, and I was afraid. I used to tell other people that they were going to Hell for this and that. I would never do that now, I gave up religion. I have things to fear in the here and now that are real...no time for fear of what may or may not be.

Answer 7

Christians say this based on Paul's words in Titus 2:13, where the apostle calls Christ's second coming our "blessed hope." We're excited about that significant promise being fulfilled.

I think you get the "fear" connection from the accusations made by atheists. They often say that religious people make up stories about Hell to scare people into believing whatever they want them to believe.

The second coming of Christ is a positive thought for those who've put their faith in Christ and wait expectantly for His return to keep them from the day of judgment (Revelation 3:10). Perfect love drives out fear.

Answer 8

Some Christians believe the tribulation already happened. The rapture is not a certainty, it is only alluded to by Paul as a mystery.
I'm going to recieve alot of flack over this one.

Answer 9

Eh what? As a Christian Jehovah's Witness I HOPE to be here for the tribulation and live through it with millions from all over the globe. After the tribulation and Armageddon it will finally be time for the meek to inherit the earth. For more information on the coming tribulation, see scripture below.

Revelation 7:9 After these things I saw, and, look! a great crowd, which no man was able to number, out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes; and there were palm branches in their hands. 10 And they keep on crying with a loud voice, saying: “Salvation [we owe] to our God, who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb.”

11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell upon their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying: “Amen! The blessing and the glory and the wisdom and the thanksgiving and the honor and the power and the strength [be] to our God forever and ever. Amen.”

13 And in response one of the elders said to me: “These who are dressed in the white robes, who are they and where did they come from?” 14 So right away I said to him: “My lord, you are the one that knows.” And he said to me: “These are the ones that come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 That is why they are before the throne of God; and they are rendering him sacred service day and night in his temple; and the One seated on the throne will spread his tent over them. 16 They will hunger no more nor thirst anymore, neither will the sun beat down upon them nor any scorching heat, 17 because the Lamb, who is in the midst of the throne, will shepherd them, and will guide them to fountains of waters of life. And God will wipe out every tear from their eyes.”



P.S. You're not really the Serj who sang "Spiders" are you? ;)

Answer 10

Have you had this hangup on a word very long????Belief is just a word.. faith is something a bit more confirmational..You are having a bit of difficulty trying to make your belief understood by others. Which brings up the confusion factor.. you would deny others a belief but demand your own????

Answer 11

yeah i agree most want to be raptured. they also hope that the rapture will be before the tribulation. i believe there are a lot of people who call them selves christians but are luke warm. some just go to church sunday and then do the worldy stuff all week. go out drinking and what not. alot of churches dont preach against some stuff anymore. they preach that all you have to do is believe in Jesus and you are saved. satan believes in Jesus and he is not saved. as well as some who follow satan who know and believe in Jesus as well but choose not to follow him but satan cause they want that life instead.