Hi to all my Forum Friends,
Haven't been very active lately. But, now with the holidays over, I have taken a few days to get my fantastic blessing from God, a new computer, on the air. Back in December a dear Friend from Huntsville sent me a new HP EliteBook computer and after all the holiday activity -- I am finally getting all my programs and files transferred. It is truly a blessing to my Christian ministry. Also, for relaxation, now I can again watch videos, movies, and BAMA football games on my large flat screen display. I am once again a happy camper!
So, let's get back into the saddle - and talk about one of my favorite subjects -- the Rapture!
LET'S TALK ABOUT THE RAPTURE!
There are basically five views of the Rapture:
(1) Never happen! The Rapture is only a fantasy, a myth propagated by Evangelicals and Fundamentalists.
Problem with that view: Non-believers and Liberal theology believers need this view. For the non-believers, to accept the Rapture is to admit a belief in God. And most are not ready for that yet. For the Liberal theology believers, the Rapture refutes their belief in purgatory - or - their belief that Jesus will stay in heaven until it is time for us to enter Eternity - or - their belief that society is getting more righteous every day and when the world is righteous, He will come and take us into Eternity.
(2) Mid-Tribulation Rapture: Christ will rapture His church; but, not until the middle of the seven year Tribulation.
Problem with that view: Key fault with this belief is that it destroys the doctrine of immanency, that Christ's return to Rapture His church could happen at any moment - but, no one knows the time or date.
(3) Pre-Wrath Rapture: Christ will rapture His church; but, not until three fourths of the way through the seven year Tribulation.
Problem with that view: Key fault with this belief is that it destroys the doctrine of immanency, that Christ's return to Rapture His church could happen at any moment - but, no one knows the time or date.
(4) Post-Tribulation Rapture: Christ will Rapture His church at the end of the Tribulation.
Problem with that view: Key fault with this belief is the same problem of immanency. And since post-tribulation is the time of His Second Coming, why would He rapture us into heaven -- at the same time He is leaving heaven to return to earth and establish His Millennial Kingdom in Jerusalem?
(5) Pre-Tribulation Rapture: Finally, a Rapture view which makes sense and is Biblical. Christ will keep His church from the wrath (Rev 3:10, 1 Thess 5:9).
No Problem with that view: Jesus Christ will appear and believers will be "caught up" (harpazo in Greek,rapiemur in Latin, rapture in English) to meet Him in the clouds and we shall be with Him always. (1 Thess 4:17-18).
And, to quote the late well known and beloved anchorman, Walter Cronkite, who for so many years on The CBS Evening News most often signed off,"And that's the way it is!"
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill