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The Rapture Myth
Many Christians today, mainly Protestants, have put their faith in a =
peculiar theory commonly called the 'Rapture'. This event, they are =
assured by televangelists, eschatological writers and their own pastors, =
is definitely promised in the Bible they claim, and will save them and =
their loved ones from the 'time of trial', the 'Great Tribulation', and =
the like. That, "in a twinkling of an eye", God will suddenly whisk them =
off the face of the earth and usher them into Heaven, and out of the =
clutches of the Antichrist, False Prophet, as well saving them from =
other dangers and trials in the days ahead.=20
To give as just one example of the typical Protestant take on the theory =
of the Rapture. I will quote from one of the most renowned Protestant =
writers in the field of eschatology today, Grant R. Jeffrey, in his book =
"The Coming Judgment of the Nations";
"The Imminent Rapture of the Saints"
"THE PURPOSE OF THE TRANSLATION OF THE SAINTS"
"The Rapture is one of the most important doctrines in the Bible. =
However, many have avoided studying this subject because it is the most =
supernatural event in the Scriptures. Unfortunately, most discussions =
about the translation of the saints have focused exclusively on the =
question of the timing of the Rapture relative to the Tribulation. While =
the timing is very important, many Christians have lost sight of the =
true purpose of the Rapture. Although this event will remove the living =
saints to heaven to escape the Antichrist, its primary purpose is to =
provide all believers, living and departed, with their eternal =
resurrection bodies.
"The 'translation of the saints' will transform our mortal and =
corruptible body into a new resurrection body that will be immortal and =
incorruptible. Our present body is subject to disease, accident and =
death. The Scripture assures us that our present mortal and corruptible =
body is not suitable for heaven, nor is it suitable for us to reign and =
rule with Christ on the earth forever. In order that we may partake of =
all that Christ has promised His Bride, the Church, we must receive a =
new resurrection body. 'Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood =
cannot inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not =
all sleep, but we shall all be changed--in a moment, in the twinkling of =
an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead =
will be raised incorruptible, and we shall all be changed.' (1 =
Corinthians 15:50-52).=20
"In Philippians 3:20, 21 the Apostle Paul informs us that our eternal =
resurrection body will be similar to the glorious body that Jesus =
possessed when He rose from the grave. 'For our citizenship is in =
heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus =
Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to =
His Glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to =
subdue all things to Himself.' In Romans 8:29 Paul again tells us that =
our body will be 'conformed' to the resurrection body of our Lord. 'For =
whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of =
His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.' The Old =
Testament did not reveal many details about the future life and bodies =
of the saints in heaven. However, the Apostle John received a vision =
about the nature of our resurrection body. 'Beloved, now we are children =
of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know =
that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as =
He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as =
He is pure' (1 John 3:2,3).
"THE PROMISE OF THE RAPTURE"
"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the =
voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in =
Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught =
up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And =
thus we shall always be with the Lord' (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
"Some who oppose the teaching of the Rapture declare that the word =
'Rapture' does not appear in the Bible. The original Latin translation =
of the Bible by Jerome, an early Christian scholar, used the word rapere =
to correctly translate 'shall be caught up.' This word rapere was used =
later as the derivation for our English word 'Rapture.' Since the phrase =
'to be caught up' is clearly in the New Testament and was quoted =
extensively by the early Church, we can safely use the word 'Rapture' to =
describe the translation of the saints as outlined in 1 Thessalonians =
4:16, 17."
(End of Quote)
To begin this refutation of the myth that is the 'rapture', please note =
that, as Jeffrey admits, the primary purpose of whatever Saint Paul is =
describing is not to escape the Antichrist, but "its primary purpose is =
to provide all believers, living and departed, with their eternal =
resurrection bodies." He acknowledges as much, because virtually all of =
what Saint Paul is describing in those passages, the same ones used by =
pro-Rapturists to bolster their theory, is primarily to assure his =
fellow brethren of the fact of the resurrection, not to specify as to =
its timing, whether before the 'seven-year Tribulation', before the =
'Great Tribulation' (the last three and a half years of the entire =
'Tribulation' period), before the onset of God's 'Wrath' and the =
beginning of the Battle of Armageddon (at the tail end of 'Great =
Tribulation'), at the Second Coming during the Battle of Armageddon, or =
at any other specific point in God's Timetable. Again, as Jeffrey notes, =
Paul's intent is to primarily assure his readers of the fact of the =
resurrection itself. And let's call it just that, the resurrection, for =
that is precisely what Paul is writing about. We can thus discuss its =
particular timing in its proper light.=20
The Bible is very specific as to the timing of the two resurrections;
"The Thousand Years"=20
"1And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the =
Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. 2He seized the dragon, that =
ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a =
thousand years. 3He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it =
over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the =
thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short =
time.=20
4I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority =
to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of =
their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not =
worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their =
foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a =
thousand years. 5(The rest of the dead did not come to life until the =
thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. 6Blessed and =
holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death =
has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ =
and will reign with him for a thousand years."
(Revelation 20:1-7 NIV)
As the Bible clearly states, the first resurrection involves all those =
who had been beheaded (or otherwise killed, one would imagine) "because =
of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God" during the =
reign of the Antichrist and False Prophet. "THEY CAME TO LIFE AND =
REIGNED WITH CHRIST A THOUSAND YEARS...THIS IS THE FIRST RESURRECTION."
At no point in the entire Bible previous to this passage does it ever =
specify as to the timing of this, or any other resurrection. Yet, here =
it is finally, in black and white. Clearly then, anyone equating the =
event that Paul describes with some supernatural 'escape' from the =
'Tribulation', whether pre-, mid- or post-, or whatever, has simply =
read way too much into them, and totally inaccurately. You can argue =
about all the trumpets, and shouts of the Lord all you want, in order to =
show that it happens at some certain point in the 'Tribulation', but no =
matter how many convincing arguments you can come up with, you still =
cannot take away from what the Bible clearly teaches above.=20
What I believe Paul was writing about is the second resurrection, at the =
end of the 'thousand years', also known as the Millennium. My main =
reason for believing that is because of his letter to the Thessalonians; =
"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the =
voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in =
Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught =
up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And =
thus we shall always be with the Lord' (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
Here, we have the trumpet blasting, and the Lord descending from Heaven =
with a shout, both sounding very much like they should happen at some =
point at the end of the 'Tribulation', prior to His intervention at the =
Battle of Armageddon (to suggest that it happens anytime previous to =
that particular point is really stretching matters). Yet, even if that =
resurrection were to occur just prior to that final cataclysmic battle, =
why would Jesus deliberately end the lives of His true followers, just =
prior to setting up his seventh, sabbath millennium on the earth? Since =
Christ Himself stated that those in Heaven, in their resurrected bodies, =
neither marry nor divorce, there is no reason to assume that those =
resurrected bodies on earth do so either, since the purpose of marriage =
is procreation. The point is, the resurrected body is one not designed =
for procreation, but for eternal life; both on earth for the millennium, =
as well as Heaven afterwards.=20
That there are at least some survivors to the 'Great Tribulation', there =
can be no doubt. 'Unless those days had been shortened, no flesh would =
have been saved alive. But for the sake of the elect, they shall be =
shortened.' Why then would Jesus take all of his chosen ones, His elect, =
off the planet at that point? Why shorten the days in order to save the =
elect, just to cause their ultimate deaths, and thus resurrection? Is it =
to be left to all the non-believers, those who may not have taken the =
mark, but yet were not followers of Jesus, who were not holding true to =
His testimony and the Word of God, to re-populate the earth for the =
duration of the Millennium? The very idea is absurd, to say the least. =
Why would Jesus deliberately take (read 'kill') all his still-living =
chosen ones, his elect, off the planet at the point where he is about to =
show us how it was all supposed to be, before mankind through Adam and =
Eve, rejected His Father's Will? Is the earth to be re-populated by the =
benign yet uncommitted? According to that scenario, it's not the meek =
followers of Christ who will inherit the earth, nor the malevolently =
evil, but those benign 'good' people who ostensibly never heard the =
testimony nor the Word of God to begin with, but are yet not deserving =
of Judgment and Hell. The very possibility of this scenario playing out =
also goes against Scripture, when we realize that much of the Old =
Testament has God promising His original 'chosen people', the Jews, that =
He would restore them to their promised land at the end of the age. If =
these are the 144,000 Jews mentioned in Chapters Seven and Fourteen of =
the Book of Revelation, and follow the Lamb wherever He goes, just as =
Scripture states, then how can it be that they cannot have heard the =
testimony of Jesus, or hold to the Word of God?
No, the event that Paul is describing takes place at the end of the =
Millennium, after the final battle to end all battles;
"Satan's Doom"
"7When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his =
prison 8and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of =
the earth--Gog and Magog--to gather them for battle. In number they are =
like the sand on the seashore. 9They marched across the breadth of the =
earth and surrounded the camp of God's people, the city he loves. But =
fire came down from heaven and devoured them. 10And the devil, who =
deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the =
beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day =
and night for ever and ever.=20
"The Dead Are Judged"
"11Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth =
and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12And I =
saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books =
were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The =
dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the =
books. 13The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades =
gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according =
to what he had done. 14Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of =
fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15If anyone's name was not =
found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire."
(Revelation 20:7-15 NIV)
Followed immediately by;
"The New Jerusalem"
"1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the =
first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2I saw the =
Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, =
prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3And I heard a =
loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, =
and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself =
will be with them and be their God. 4He will wipe every tear from their =
eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the =
old order of things has passed away."=20
5He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" =
Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and =
true." "=20
(Revelation 21:1-5 NIV)
It is at the end of the final battle, after Jesus again destroys all =
those rebelling against His authority and casting Satan into the same =
lake of fire as the Antichrist, False Prophet, and the then destiny of =
all not found in the Book of Life, that all the dead, Paul included, and =
ALL THAT ARE STILL LIVING ON THE EARTH AT THAT TIME, (JUST AS PAUL =
THOUGHT MIGHT APPLY TO HIMSELF AND HIS BRETHREN AT THAT TIME) are given =
their resurrection bodies. In other words, THIS IS THE SECOND =
RESURRECTION. And, depending on whether your name is found in the Book =
of Life or not, you will be either resurrected to eternal life, or an =
eternal (second) death.=20
No Virginia, there is no 'escape pod', no 'Hand of God' about to grab =
you, and whisk you off to Heaven in a 'twinkling of an eye' at any point =
during the coming 'Tribulation'. It is a myth, clear and simple, based =
upon poor Scriptural exegesis, hermeneutics, and plain old wishful =
thinking. What is about to befall mankind, is about to befall us all, =
righteous and evil, alike. So when you find yourself, your family and =
other loved ones being surrounded by the many forces of the Antichrist =
in the days ahead, as you stayed an open target for them all the while =
fantasizing about some miraculous 'rapture' when you could have used =
that time to prepare yourselves, and 'get the hell outta Dodge', =
remember that the Bible actually warned you as to what you could =
actually expect, being a follower of Jesus Christ.
To find out more, consult your local Bible, and read it again for =
yourself, on your own. Pray to God for wisdom, understanding and =
discernment. If you sincerely do so, He will sincerely answer you, in =
His own time and way, just like He did for me. Then, when you have some =
semblance of understanding, by all means consult others, and take their =
viewpoints into consideration, and weigh it all, hopefully including my =
own testimony, and make a stand.
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<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2> =20
<DIV><STRONG><U><FONT size=3D3>The Rapture =
Myth</FONT></U></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Many Christians today, mainly Protestants, have put their faith in =
a=20
peculiar theory commonly called the 'Rapture'. This event, they are =
assured by=20
televangelists, eschatological writers and their own pastors,=20
is definitely promised in the Bible they claim, and will save =
them and=20
their loved ones from the 'time of trial', the 'Great Tribulation', and =
the=20
like. That, "in a twinkling of an eye", God will suddenly whisk them off =
the=20
face of the earth and usher them into Heaven, and out of the clutches of =
the=20
Antichrist, False Prophet, as well saving them from other dangers and=20
trials in the days ahead. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>To give as just one example of the typical Protestant take on =
the=20
theory of the Rapture. I will quote from one of the most renowned =
Protestant=20
writers in the field of eschatology today, Grant R. Jeffrey, in his=20
book <STRONG><U>"The Coming Judgment of the =
Nations";</U></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><EM>"The Imminent Rapture of the =
Saints"</EM></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><EM></EM></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><EM>"THE PURPOSE OF THE TRANSLATION OF THE SAINTS"</EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM>"The Rapture is one of the most important doctrines in the =
Bible.=20
However, many have avoided studying this subject because it is the most=20
supernatural event in the Scriptures. Unfortunately, most discussions =
about the=20
translation of the saints have focused exclusively on the question of =
the timing=20
of the Rapture relative to the Tribulation. While the timing is very =
important,=20
many Christians have lost sight of the true purpose of the Rapture. =
Although=20
this event will remove the living saints to heaven to escape the =
Antichrist, its=20
primary purpose is to provide all believers, living and departed, with =
their=20
eternal resurrection bodies.</EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM>"The 'translation of the saints' will transform our mortal and=20
corruptible body into a new resurrection body that will be immortal and=20
incorruptible. Our present body is subject to disease, accident and =
death. The=20
Scripture assures us that our present mortal and corruptible body is not =
suitable for heaven, nor is it suitable for us to reign and rule with =
Christ on=20
the earth forever. In order that we may partake of all that Christ has =
promised=20
His Bride, the Church, we must receive a new resurrection body. =
<STRONG>'Now=20
this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit incorruption. =
Behold,=20
I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be =
changed--in a=20
moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet =
will=20
sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall all be =
changed.'=20
(1 Corinthians 15:50-52).</STRONG> </EM></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><EM>"In Philippians 3:20, 21 the Apostle Paul informs us that our =
eternal=20
resurrection body will be similar to the glorious body that Jesus =
possessed when=20
He rose from the grave. <STRONG>'For our citizenship is in heaven, from =
which we=20
also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will =
transform our=20
lowly body that it may be conformed to His Glorious body, according to =
the=20
working by which He is able even to subdue all things to =
Himself</STRONG>.' In=20
Romans 8:29 Paul again tells us that our body will be 'conformed' to the =
resurrection body of our Lord. <STRONG>'For whom He foreknew, He also=20
predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be =
the=20
firstborn among many brethren.' </STRONG>The Old Testament did not =
reveal many=20
details about the future life and bodies of the saints in heaven. =
However, the=20
Apostle John received a vision about the nature of our resurrection=20
body.<STRONG> 'Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet =
been=20
revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we =
shall be=20
like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope =
in Him=20
purifies himself, just as He is</STRONG> pure' (1 John =
3:2,3).</EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM>"THE PROMISE OF THE RAPTURE"</EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><STRONG>"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a =
shout,=20
with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the =
dead in=20
Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught =
up=20
together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus =
we shall=20
always be with the Lord' (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).</STRONG></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM>"Some who oppose the teaching of the Rapture declare that the =
word=20
'Rapture' does not appear in the Bible. The original Latin translation =
of the=20
Bible by Jerome, an early Christian scholar, used the word=20
<STRONG>rapere</STRONG> to correctly translate 'shall be caught up.' =
This word=20
<STRONG>rapere </STRONG>was used later as the derivation for our English =
word=20
'Rapture.' Since the phrase 'to be caught up' is clearly in the New =
Testament=20
and was quoted extensively by the early Church, we can safely use the =
word=20
'Rapture' to describe the translation of the saints as outlined in 1=20
Thessalonians 4:16, 17."</EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM>(End of Quote)</EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM></EM> </DIV>
<DIV>To begin this refutation of the myth that is the 'rapture', please =
note=20
that, as Jeffrey admits, the <EM>primary</EM> purpose of =
<EM>whatever</EM> Saint=20
Paul is describing is not to escape the Antichrist, but "<EM>its primary =
purpose=20
is to provide all believers, living and departed, with their eternal=20
resurrection bodies." </EM>He acknowledges as much, =
because virtually=20
all of what Saint Paul is describing in those passages, the same =
ones used=20
by pro-Rapturists to bolster their theory, is =
<EM>primarily</EM> to=20
assure his fellow brethren of the fact of the <EM>resurrection, </EM>not =
to=20
specify as to its timing, whether before the 'seven-year Tribulation', =
before=20
the 'Great Tribulation' (the last three and a half years of the entire=20
'Tribulation' period), before the onset of God's 'Wrath' and the =
beginning of=20
the Battle of Armageddon (at the tail end of 'Great Tribulation'), at =
the Second=20
Coming during the Battle of Armageddon, or at any other =
specific point in=20
God's Timetable. Again, as Jeffrey notes, Paul's intent is to=20
<EM>primarily</EM> assure his readers of the fact of the =
resurrection=20
itself. And let's call it just that, the <EM>resurrection, </EM>for that =
is=20
precisely what Paul is writing about. We can thus discuss its particular =
timing=20
in its proper light. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>The Bible is very specific as to the timing of the <EM>two=20
resurrections;</EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM>"The Thousand Years" <BR><BR><SUP>"1</SUP>And I saw an angel =
coming=20
down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand =
a great=20
chain. <SUP>2</SUP>He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is =
the devil,=20
or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. <SUP>3</SUP>He threw him =
into the=20
Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the =
nations=20
anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set =
free for=20
a short time. <BR><SUP>4</SUP>I saw thrones on which were seated those =
who had=20
been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been =
beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of =
God.=20
They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his =
mark on=20
their foreheads or their hands. <STRONG>They came to life and reigned =
with=20
Christ a thousand years. <SUP>5</SUP>(The rest of the dead did not come =
to life=20
until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first =
resurrection</STRONG>.=20
<SUP>6</SUP>Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first =
resurrection.=20
The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God =
and of=20
Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years."</EM></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>(Revelation 20:1-7 NIV)</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>As the Bible clearly states, the <EM>first resurrection =
</EM>involves all=20
those who had been beheaded (or otherwise killed, one would imagine)=20
<EM>"because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of=20
God"</EM> <STRONG>during the reign of the Antichrist and False =
Prophet.=20
<EM>"THEY CAME TO LIFE AND REIGNED WITH CHRIST A THOUSAND YEARS...THIS =
IS THE=20
FIRST RESURRECTION."</EM></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><EM></EM></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV>At no point in the entire Bible previous to this passage does it =
ever=20
specify as to the timing of this, or any other=20
resurrection. Yet, here it is finally, in black and white. =
Clearly=20
then, anyone equating the event that Paul describes with some =
supernatural=20
'escape' from the 'Tribulation', whether pre-, mid- or post-, or =
whatever,=20
has simply read way too much into them, and totally inaccurately. You=20
can argue about all the trumpets, and shouts of the Lord all you =
want, in=20
order to show that it happens at some certain point in the =
'Tribulation', but no=20
matter how many convincing arguments you can come up with, you still =
cannot take=20
away from what the Bible clearly teaches above. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>What I believe Paul was writing about is the <EM>second =
resurrection,</EM>=20
at the end of the 'thousand years', also known as the =
<EM>Millennium.</EM> My=20
main reason for believing that is because of his letter to the=20
Thessalonians; </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV><EM>"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, =
with the=20
voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in =
Christ will=20
rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together =
with=20
them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always =
be with=20
the Lord' (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).</EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM></EM> </DIV>
<DIV>Here, we have the trumpet blasting, and the Lord descending from =
Heaven=20
with a shout, both sounding very much like they <EM>should </EM>happen =
at some=20
point at the end of the 'Tribulation', prior to His intervention at the =
Battle=20
of Armageddon (to suggest that it happens anytime previous to=20
that particular point is <EM>really </EM>stretching matters). =
Yet,=20
even if that resurrection were to occur just prior to that =
final=20
cataclysmic battle, why would Jesus deliberately=20
<STRONG><EM><U>end</U></EM></STRONG> the lives of His true followers, =
just prior=20
to setting up his seventh, sabbath millennium on the earth? Since Christ =
Himself=20
stated that those in Heaven, in their resurrected bodies, neither marry =
nor=20
divorce, there is no reason to assume that those resurrected bodies on =
earth do=20
so either, since the purpose of marriage is procreation. The point is, =
the=20
resurrected body is one not designed for procreation, but for eternal=20
life; both on earth for the millennium, as well as Heaven =
afterwards. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>That there are at least some survivors to the 'Great =
Tribulation',=20
there can be no doubt. 'Unless those days had been shortened, no =
flesh=20
would have been saved alive. But for the sake of the elect, they shall =
be=20
shortened.' Why then would Jesus take all of his chosen ones, His=20
elect, off the planet at that point? Why shorten the days in order =
to save=20
the elect, just to cause their ultimate deaths, and thus resurrection? =
Is it to=20
be left to all the non-believers, those who may not have taken the mark, =
but yet=20
were not followers of Jesus, who were not holding true to His testimony =
and the=20
Word of God, to re-populate the earth for the duration of the =
Millennium? The=20
very idea is absurd, to say the least. Why would Jesus deliberately take =
(read=20
'kill') all his still-living chosen ones, his elect, off the planet =
at the=20
point where he is about to show us how it was all supposed to be, before =
mankind=20
through Adam and Eve, rejected His Father's Will? Is the earth to be=20
re-populated by the benign yet uncommitted? According to that =
scenario,=20
it's not the meek followers of Christ who will inherit the =
earth, nor=20
the malevolently evil, but those benign 'good' =
people who ostensibly=20
never heard the testimony nor the Word of God to begin with, but are yet =
not=20
deserving of Judgment and Hell. The very possibility of this scenario =
playing=20
out also goes against Scripture, when we realize that much of the Old =
Testament=20
has God promising His original 'chosen people', the Jews, that He would =
restore=20
them to their promised land at the end of the age. If these are the =
144,000 Jews=20
mentioned in Chapters Seven and Fourteen of the Book of Revelation, =
and=20
follow the Lamb wherever He goes, just as Scripture states, then how can =
it be=20
that they cannot have heard the testimony of Jesus, or hold to the =
Word of=20
God?</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>No, the event that Paul is describing takes place at the end of the =
Millennium, after the final battle to end all battles;</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><EM>"Satan's Doom"<BR><BR></EM><SUP>"7</SUP>When the thousand years =
are=20
over, Satan will be released from his prison <SUP>8</SUP>and will go out =
to=20
deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth--Gog and Magog--to =
gather=20
them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore.=20
<SUP>9</SUP>They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded =
the camp=20
of God's people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and =
devoured=20
them. <SUP>10</SUP>And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the =
lake of=20
burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. =
They will=20
be tormented day and night for ever and ever. <BR><BR><I>"The Dead Are=20
Judged"</I><BR><BR><SUP>"11</SUP>Then I saw a great white throne and him =
who was=20
seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no =
place for=20
them. <SUP>12</SUP>And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before =
the=20
throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the =
book of=20
life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded =
in the=20
books. <SUP>13</SUP>The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death =
and=20
Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged =
according=20
to what he had done. <SUP>14</SUP>Then death and Hades were thrown into =
the lake=20
of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. <SUP>15</SUP>If anyone's =
name was=20
not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of=20
fire."</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>(Revelation 20:7-15 NIV)</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Followed immediately by;</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><EM>"The New Jerusalem"<BR><BR></EM><SUP>"1</SUP>Then I saw a new =
heaven=20
and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed =
away, and=20
there was no longer any sea. <SUP>2</SUP>I saw the Holy City, the new =
Jerusalem,=20
coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully =
dressed for=20
her husband. <SUP>3</SUP>And I heard a loud voice from the throne =
saying, "Now=20
the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will =
be his=20
people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. =
<SUP>4</SUP>He will=20
wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning =
or=20
crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." =
<BR><SUP>5</SUP>He=20
who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he =
said,=20
"Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." "=20
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>(Revelation 21:1-5 NIV)</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>It is at the end of the final battle, after Jesus again destroys =
all those=20
rebelling against His authority and casting Satan into the same lake of =
fire as=20
the Antichrist, False Prophet, and the then destiny of <EM>all =
</EM>not=20
found in the Book of Life, that all the dead, Paul included, and =
<STRONG><EM>ALL=20
THAT ARE STILL LIVING ON THE EARTH AT THAT TIME, (JUST AS PAUL THOUGHT =
MIGHT=20
APPLY TO HIMSELF AND HIS BRETHREN AT THAT TIME)</EM></STRONG> are =
given=20
their resurrection bodies. In other words, <FONT size=3D3><STRONG>THIS =
IS THE=20
SECOND RESURRECTION. </STRONG></FONT><FONT size=3D2>And, depending on =
whether your=20
name is found in the Book of Life or not, you will be either resurrected =
to=20
eternal life, or an eternal (second) death. </FONT></DIV></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>No Virginia, there is no 'escape pod', no 'Hand of God' about to =
grab you,=20
and whisk you off to Heaven in a 'twinkling of an eye' at <EM>any</EM> =
point=20
during the coming 'Tribulation'. It is a myth, clear and simple, based =
upon poor=20
Scriptural exegesis, hermeneutics, and plain old wishful =
thinking. What is=20
about to befall mankind, is about to befall us all, righteous and evil,=20
alike. So when you find yourself, your family and other loved =
ones=20
being surrounded by the many forces of the Antichrist in the days ahead, =
as you=20
stayed an open target for them all the while fantasizing about =
some miraculous 'rapture' when you could have used that time to =
prepare=20
yourselves, and 'get the hell outta Dodge', remember that the Bible=20
actually warned you as to what you could actually expect, being a =
follower=20
of Jesus Christ.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>To find out more, consult your local Bible, and read it again for =
yourself,=20
on your own. Pray to God for wisdom, understanding and discernment. If =
you=20
sincerely do so, He will sincerely answer you, in His own time and way, =
just=20
like He did for me. Then, when you have some semblance of understanding, =
by all=20
means consult others, and take their viewpoints into consideration, and =
weigh it=20
all, hopefully including my own testimony, and make a <STRONG><EM>stand. =
</EM></STRONG></DIV></DIV></FONT></DIV></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>
------=_NextPart_000_013D_01C3EE70.242D4400--
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| User: "jha_amin" |
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| Title: Re: Rapture Myth: #1 Dangerous Delusion |
09 Feb 2004 10:25:15 AM |
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"Dan" <twotrickpony@shaw.ca> wrote in message news:<e5CVb.432839$JQ1.208427@pd7tw1no>...
The Rapture Myth
Many Christians today, mainly Protestants, have put their faith in a
peculiar theory commonly called the 'Rapture'. This event, they are
assured by televangelists, eschatological writers and their own pastors,
is definitely promised in the Bible they claim, and will save them and
their loved ones from the 'time of trial', the 'Great Tribulation', and
the like. That, "in a twinkling of an eye", God will suddenly whisk them
off the face of the earth and usher them into Heaven, and out of the
clutches of the Antichrist, False Prophet, as well saving them from
other dangers and trials in the days ahead.
As usual, the scriptures reveal just enough vague information to
institute control measures.
Given that the christian faith excludes all others who do not trust
jesus i am not suprised that they consider the "rapture" to be
exclusively a christian event also.
There is a christian song that rather reveals their true nature that
contains the phrase
"we'll be waving bye-bye while watching you fry"
Supposedly, when the rapture occurs, the "chosen" ascend to heaven,
leaving utter chaos on earth and good pickings for the anti christ.
Christianity has corrupted and co-opted a natural event which has
occurred countless times and will occur countless times in the
"future".
It is a sort of optional "graduation" event that occurs at the end of
each age. The "pure in heart" are given the choice of leaving 3d
earth and ascending to a new earth in 4d or staying behind to be of
service to the remainder of humanity on the old physical earth.
There is no God as most religions perceive it, but merely a natural
order of events that we are at this time totally unable to understand.
You are on your own for this adventure of many lifetimes. What you
give is what you get.
'tis the soul that counts.
Of course, it is possible for me to be wrong. ;)
"According to the mythologies of Hinduism, each world cycle is
subdivided into four yugas or world ages. These are comparable to the
four ages of the Greco-Roman tradition, and, like the latter, decline
in moral excellence as the round proceeds. The Classical ages took
their names from the metals, Gold, Silver, Brass, and Iron, the Hindu
from the four throws of the Indian dice game, Kria, Treta, Dvpara, and
Kali. In both cases the appellations suggest the relative virtues of
the periods, as they succeed each other in a slow, irreversible
procession.
Krita is the perfect participle of the verb kri, to do; it means
literally, "done, made, accomplished, perfect." This is the dice-throw
that wins the jackpot, the total gain. According to the Indian
conception, the idea of total, or totality, is associated with the
number four. Anything complete and self-contained is conceived as
possessing all of its four quarters. It is established firmly on its
"four legs." (Laura Knight Jadczyk
"Faith is an openness and trusting attitude to truth and reality,
whatever it may turn out to be. This is a risky and adventurous state
of mind. Belief, in the religious sense, is the opposite of faith -
because it is a fervent wishing or hope, a compulsive clinging to the
idea that the universe is arranged and governed in such and such a
way. Belief is holding to a rock; faith is learning how to swim - and
this whole universe swims in boundless space." (Alan Watts)
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| User: "Mark" |
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| Title: Re: Rapture Myth: #1 Dangerous Delusion |
09 Feb 2004 10:31:46 PM |
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"jha_amin" <jha_amin@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:33b7880.0402090825.3724a7f1@posting.google.com...
"Dan" <twotrickpony@shaw.ca> wrote in message
news:<e5CVb.432839$JQ1.208427@pd7tw1no>...
The Rapture Myth
There is no God as most religions perceive it, but merely a natural
order of events that we are at this time totally unable to understand.
Natural? Of course!
But ordered?
And of course, there's that 'events' thingy that needs defining.
;)
You are on your own for this adventure of many lifetimes. What you
give is what you get.
"What you give is what you get"
(Thought that needed repeating)
;)
'tis the soul that counts.
At a certain intiation (for which I am forbidden to speak) the pledge is
shown a skeleton, and at its feet are a sword, a crown, and a jesters hat.
The pledge is asked "Was he a Warrior, a King, or a Fool?".
Of course, it is possible for me to be wrong. ;)
Of course...
Just to play the devils advocate... possibly ones actions actually do define
the person?
Perhaps what many of us are taught when we are young, and what we perceive
later in life, are designed to desensitize and dissuade us from the idea
that (just perhaps) we've only got one shot... and we need to do our very
best *now*... in each and every moment of our lives.
Perhaps, sometimes, a man is not *just* a man... but the culmination of his
actions.
.... and sometimes death is not the great equalizer.
.
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| User: "jha_amin" |
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| Title: Re: Rapture Myth: #1 Dangerous Delusion |
10 Feb 2004 07:04:57 AM |
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"Mark" <mburggra1@earthlink.net> wrote in message news:<S8ZVb.18205$F23.7554@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net>...
"jha_amin" <jha_amin@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:33b7880.0402090825.3724a7f1@posting.google.com...
"Dan" <twotrickpony@shaw.ca> wrote in message
news:<e5CVb.432839$JQ1.208427@pd7tw1no>...
The Rapture Myth
There is no God as most religions perceive it, but merely a natural
order of events that we are at this time totally unable to understand.
Natural? Of course!
But ordered?
And of course, there's that 'events' thingy that needs defining.
;)
When a stone is dropped in still water, if you are under or near the
stone you experience chaos. If your are higher up, you see well
ordered concentric circles. Depends on your perspective, eh.
Your event would be determined by how close to the stone you chose to
be. ;)
You are on your own for this adventure of many lifetimes. What you
give is what you get.
"What you give is what you get"
(Thought that needed repeating)
;)
'tis the soul that counts.
At a certain intiation (for which I am forbidden to speak) the pledge is
shown a skeleton, and at its feet are a sword, a crown, and a jesters hat.
The pledge is asked "Was he a Warrior, a King, or a Fool?".
What! You and bush and kerry? ;)
Perhaps the Fool knew more of life.
Of course, it is possible for me to be wrong. ;)
Of course...
Just to play the devils advocate... possibly ones actions actually do define
the person?
Perhaps what many of us are taught when we are young, and what we perceive
later in life, are designed to desensitize and dissuade us from the idea
that (just perhaps) we've only got one shot... and we need to do our very
best *now*... in each and every moment of our lives.
That would be the accepted occidental view. Makes crowd control
easier.
Fear of death is a powerful control measure, but the one who has no
fear can be a powerful adversary.
Perhaps, sometimes, a man is not *just* a man... but the culmination of his
actions.
Some native cultures name a person after his deeds. I feel we are
never *just* a man, but a culmination of our past actions or lives,
whatever the case may be. (possibly a slave to them)
... and sometimes death is not the great equalizer.
There may be no death, only return to the source or another beginning.
But, take heart, if you are dead you will never be aware of it. ;)
[a pleasure to hear from you, Mark]
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| User: "Mark" |
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| Title: Re: Rapture Myth: #1 Dangerous Delusion |
10 Feb 2004 10:53:23 PM |
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"jha_amin" <jha_amin@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:33b7880.0402100504.14b53ee3@posting.google.com...
"Mark" <mburggra1@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:<S8ZVb.18205$F23.7554@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net>...
"jha_amin" <jha_amin@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:33b7880.0402090825.3724a7f1@posting.google.com...
"Dan" <twotrickpony@shaw.ca> wrote in message
news:<e5CVb.432839$JQ1.208427@pd7tw1no>...
When a stone is dropped in still water, if you are under or near the
stone you experience chaos. If your are higher up, you see well
ordered concentric circles. Depends on your perspective, eh.
Your event would be determined by how close to the stone you chose to
be. ;)
What causes the concentric rings... is it a stone that is dropped in still
water?
.... or is it the action of the "still water" spitting out the stone?
;)
How close... how far away... how you choose to view the direction of
'time'...
;)
Still... it seems that first an action is decided upon... then an action
takes place...
Still... it seems that first an action takes place... then an action is
decided upon...
;)
You are on your own for this adventure of many lifetimes. What you
give is what you get.
"What you give is what you get"
(Thought that needed repeating)
;)
Still think that bears repeating...
;)
Of course, it is possible for me to be wrong. ;)
Of course...
Just to play the devils advocate... possibly ones actions actually do
define
the person?
Perhaps what many of us are taught when we are young, and what we
perceive
later in life, are designed to desensitize and dissuade us from the idea
that (just perhaps) we've only got one shot... and we need to do our
very
best *now*... in each and every moment of our lives.
That would be the accepted occidental view. Makes crowd control
easier.
Fear of death is a powerful control measure, but the one who has no
fear can be a powerful adversary.
Yes... and so can the belief that one must persevere to the end... or that
one must continue to be enslaved, as a 'saviour' is coming...
Perhaps, sometimes, a man is not *just* a man... but the culmination of
his
actions.
Some native cultures name a person after his deeds. I feel we are
never *just* a man, but a culmination of our past actions or lives,
whatever the case may be. (possibly a slave to them)
Hmmm... both the champion and the captive of past actions... interesting.
Yes.
... and sometimes death is not the great equalizer.
There may be no death, only return to the source or another beginning.
But, take heart, if you are dead you will never be aware of it. ;)
Ahhh... but you shouldn't spill the beans!
Weaker minds will take this concept and mutate it into a carte blanche of "I
can do anything here, I'll make it up in the next life"... just as most of
Christianity believes that "All I have to do is repent my Sins after I've
comitted them"... or the (warped) Islamic belief "I'll be rewarded in heaven
for killing non-believers"...
It's a sad world my friend... a sad world.
[a pleasure to hear from you, Mark]
.... and always a pleasure to read your posts. You've a unique view, a view
I've grown to admire and respect.
.
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| User: "sUSAn B Anthony" |
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| Title: Re: Rapture Myth: #1 Dangerous Delusion |
10 Feb 2004 03:15:55 PM |
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Jha_amin wrote:
When a stone is dropped in still water, if
you are under or near the stone you
experience chaos. If your are higher up,
you see well ordered concentric circles.
Depends on your perspective, eh. Your
event would be determined by how
close to the stone you chose to be. ;)
Snatch the pebble from my hand, grasshopper....
....and I'll show you chaos :)
sorry!
When somebody says something remotely close to your above paragraph,
it's hard to erase that image of the young bald Carradine from my mind.
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| User: "Dan" |
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| Title: Re: Rapture Myth: #1 Dangerous Delusion |
10 Feb 2004 05:06:14 PM |
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When somebody says something remotely close to your above
paragraph,
it's hard to erase that image of the young bald Carradine from
my mind.
That's about the most intelligent reply to my original post that
I could possibly expect in this newsgroup. It just doesn't get
any better than this, folks.
.
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| User: "sUSAn B Anthony" |
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| Title: Re: Rapture Myth: #1 Dangerous Delusion |
10 Feb 2004 08:20:13 PM |
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twotrickpony@shaw.ca (Dan) wrote:
When somebody says something
remotely close to your above
paragraph, it's hard to erase that
image of the young bald Carradine
from my mind.
That's about the most intelligent reply to
my original post that I could possibly
expect in this newsgroup. It just doesn't
get any better than this, folks.
Hi Dan :)
At least you got what you expected. That's better than leaving empty
handed.
Here's one for the road....
__What religion is your bra?__
A man walked into the ladies department of a Macy's and shyly walked up
to
the woman behind the counter and said, "I'd like to buy a bra for my
wife."
"What type of bra?" asked the clerk.
Type?" inquires the man, "There's more than one type?"
"Look around," said the saleslady, as she showed a sea of bras in every
shape, size, color and material imaginable.
"Actually, even with all of this
variety, there are really only four types of bras to choose from."
Relieved, the man asked about the types.
The saleslady replied "There are the Catholic, the Salvation Army, the
Presbyterian, and the Baptist types. Which one would you prefer?
Now totally befuddled, the man asked about the differences between them.
The Saleslady responded, "It is all really quite simple...The Catholic
type supports the masses.
The Salvation Army type lifts the fallen.
The Presbyterian type keeps them staunch and upright.
The Baptist type makes mountains out of mole hills."
Please note that Buddhists don't need a bra.....they stand up at will.
:)
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| User: "JimGem3015" |
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| Title: Re: Rapture Myth: #1 Dangerous Delusion |
09 Feb 2004 10:13:03 AM |
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The Rapture Myth
True... and many shall fall away. The actual Greek says that "those asleep in
the Lord must rise first" (recognition of his own previous incarnations). "Then
those of us that are left - will join with him in the wind and the storm."
This "wind storm" is the exact same "wind storm" that Ezekiel describes in the
first chapter of his book. Why? Because Ezekiel (addressed 93 times as "Son of
Man") is one of the Messiah's previous incarnations, as was "the young
Macedonian" identified by both Nostradamus, and ---> PAUL.
They have eyes and do not see.
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