The Rapture (Earth, gospel, preach, churches, Revelation)

[Khale]

I have learned a lot about the Rapture, through books, churches, and friends. Yet, despite all of this, I have yet to see good evidence from the bible itself. I have always found this a bit odd, as most people claim to be pulling proof from the good book.

So, My questions are:

- What relevant biblical proof is there of the rapture?
- What biblical proof is there that it will come before, after, or in the middle of an 'end of days'?
- If you don't believe in this, how do you think this belief came about?

[Khale]

Is there anyone who would like to respond? It's been almost a week with no responses.

*sigh*

I guess I'll bump the message up and wait some more.

[Scott1]

Originally Posted by Khale

- What relevant biblical proof is there of the rapture?

- What biblical proof is there that it will come before, after, or in the middle of an 'end of days'?
- If you don't believe in this, how do you think this belief came about?

In Revelation 20:1–3, 7–8, we read, "Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain. And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years were ended. After that he must be loosed for a little while. . . . And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be loosed from his prison and will come out to deceive the nations which are at the four corners of the earth."

The period of a thousand years, the writer tells us, is the reign of Christ, and the thousand-year period is popularly called the millennium. The millennium is a harbinger of the end of the world, and Revelation 20 is interpreted in three ways by conservative Protestants. The three schools of thought are called postmillennialism, amillennialism, and premillennialism.

http://www.catholic.com/library/Rapture.asp

[Prima]

Have you actually read Revelations, Khale?

[Khale]

Yes, I spent about 4 years in a western baptist church and revalations was focused on even more than the gospels. It was during my time at this church when began to question wether or not there was any real proof for the rapture. They would constantly preach it, yet the evidence they brought forth was questionable at the least.

Why do you ask?

[anders]

Originally Posted by Khale

Is there anyone who would like to respond? It's been almost a week with no responses.

*sigh*

I guess I'll bump the message up and wait some more.

*sigh* the impatience of youth! The very first time I got access to a real-time computer terminal, I was startled and hilarious when I got a response in that same day, without having to wait several days for the results of my stack of punched cards.

For that rapture thing, I dare you to find just one Swede not frequenting religious 'net boards understanding what you're referring to. And we're supposed to be mainly Lutheran Evangelical Protestants.

Which doesn't mean anything a USAmerican would link to that concept. Why, our Archbishop doesn't even believe in the virgin birth of Yeshua Josephson..

[Khale]

Originally Posted by anders

*sigh* the impatience of youth! The very first time I got access to a real-time computer terminal, I was startled and hilarious when I got a response in that same day, without having to wait several days for the results of my stack of punched cards.

While this isn't the best characteristic to have... Yes, I can be impatient with some things. However that is the beauty of today's technology. I can post a topic on the net and reasonably expect a reply from any number of folks in a few days if not hours. I guess we were just raised in different eras.

Originally Posted by anders

*For that rapture thing, I dare you to find just one Swede not frequenting religious 'net boards understanding what you're referring to. And we're supposed to be mainly Lutheran Evangelical Protestants.

Which doesn't mean anything a USAmerican would link to that concept. Why, our Archbishop doesn't even believe in the virgin birth of Yeshua Josephson..

Good point. I didn't think to clarify what the rapture was since I assumed everybody would know. In my defence, this is one of those religious net boards that people tend to frequent. I guess I will try to make a note of that in the future.

[Prima]

Personally, I think it's one of those things that has grown...and grown, and grown! It started off as something with biblical proof, but then myths and legend began to surround the coming of the Rapture...

[blueman]

Originally Posted by Khale

I have learned a lot about the Rapture, through books, churches, and friends. Yet, despite all of this, I have yet to see good evidence from the bible itself. I have always found this a bit odd, as most people claim to be pulling proof from the good book.

So, My questions are:

- What relevant biblical proof is there of the rapture?
- What biblical proof is there that it will come before, after, or in the middle of an 'end of days'?
- If you don't believe in this, how do you think this belief came about?

Reference 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and what Paul is referring to in his letter to the church of Thessalonica regarding the coming of Christ and the Rapture. This is one of the more clearer views regarding those who are asleep (dead, but spirit is with Christ) and those who are alive and are saved by faith through Christ. The Rapture speaks to our spirits being united with a "new body" and we are made joint heirs with Christ.

[Melody]

Originally Posted by Khale

What relevant biblical proof is there of the rapture?
- What biblical proof is there that it will come before, after, or in the middle of an 'end of days'?
- If you don't believe in this, how do you think this belief came about?

Wishful thinking?

Like you, I'd heard and read about this "Rapture" where everyone disappears prior to the trials and tribulation (Left Behind series has really banked on this), but have never found biblical proof to back this up.