The Rapture (Jesus, Earth, churches, Revelation, experience)

[Lightkeeper]

Will it happen or is it an inner process we go through?

[Scott1]

With respect to the rapture, Catholics certainly believe that the event of our gathering together to be with Christ will take place, though they do not generally use the word "rapture" to refer to this event (somewhat ironically, since the term "rapture" is derived from the text of the Latin Vulgate of 1 Thess. 4:17—"we will be caught up," [Latin: rapiemur]).


A great article for those not educated (like myself) on what all this rapture "stuff" means.... and yes, it's a Catholic site, but I think it gives a pretty good overview of what the differing groups believe about the rapture: CLICK HERE

[fromthe heart]

I believe in the Rapture...as for when the rapture will be is still fuzzy in my mind...I know what I've been taught to believe on this but I'm kinda on the line because even though I was taught it would be pre-trib...I don't see where we are so special that we should not be tried in tribulation...I just don't have a mind set on the when yet...Thanks Scott for the link...It was very interesting...

[Ronald]

This is the gathering of the Hebrews; MT.24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
So Post Tribulation gathering of the Children of Israel is where those grafted into Israel will be with Him. Straight from the mouth of Yeshua, His word is His bond, I accept that!

[fromthe heart]

Ok...let me try this again...the Rapture is NOT the second coming...it's when those who are saved are caught up in the clouds with God...Jesus second coming doesn't come until after tribulation...the rapture is supposed to come prior to tribulation...I'm still trying to locate exactly where in scripture it points to this. Hopefully I will find it before this thread drifts too far. The second coming is just prior to Armegedon and tribulation is to last a thousand years...litterally? not sure...geez...being put to the test here on scripture for sure...LOL

[cardero]

MT.24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light (darkness), and the stars shall fall from heaven (streaking points of light as if through a tunnel), and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken (turbulence):30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn (meeting Jesus and passed/ past loved ones) , and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory (great light).

This sounds exactly like what some people who had near-death experiences have described.

tribulation=passing over?

[fromthe heart]

I'm back...I could be wrong but it could be in the letters to the 7 churches where it says about how some will be kept from the hour of temptation which shall come upon all the world to try them. I think that's in Revelation.

[Ronald]

Originally Posted by fromthe heart

I'm back...I could be wrong but it could be in the letters to the 7 churches where it says about how some will be kept from the hour of temptation which shall come upon all the world to try them. I think that's in Revelation.

Here is what you are looking for, but take notice in the words "last trump" just how many last trumps will there be?

1Co 15:52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. (1Thess.4:17 meet in the air)

Doesn' t this sound like the first resurrection to you?
And doesn't this sound like, just a little different way to say the same thing?

Mt.24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Yes, this is the Resurrection leading into the Reign of the Messiah!

[retrorich]

I saw a car with a sign that read: "When the Rapture occurs, this car will be without a driver." (Or words to that effect.) Damn...when that happens, I'm going to be dodging cars like crazy!

[may]

Is

It Found in the Bible?

Does the Bible teach that there will be a rapture of all true Christians to heaven? Will they be taken away leaving the rest of mankind behind to face calamity?

Actually, the word "rapture" is not found in the Bible. The belief is based on 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17, where the related words "caught away" are found. There we read:

"The Lord himself will descend from heaven with a commanding call, with an archangel’s voice and with God’s trumpet, and those who are dead in union with Christ will rise first. Afterward we the living who are surviving will, together with them, be caught away in clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and thus we shall always be with the Lord."

Believers in the rapture give the following literal interpretation to this passage: Christ will again come to the earth. The dead "saints" will be resurrected and the living "saints" will be caught away, or raptured. Given new immortal bodies, they will rise and join Christ in the air, and he will take them to heaven.

This belief, then, is tied in with the return of Jesus Christ. But what does the Bible show to be the purpose of Christ’s return?

Manner

and Purpose of Christ’s Return

The Bible does not indicate that there will be a literal, bodily return of Christ to earth. Rather, it shows that he returns in the sense of turning his attention to the earth and to accomplish certain definite purposes respecting mankind.

Christ’s descending, as mentioned at 1 Thessalonians 4:16, is in the same sense as the Scriptures speak of God’s descending to earth. For instance, the Bible says of God: "He proceeded to bend the heavens down and to descend; and thick gloom was beneath his feet." (2 Samuel 22:10) "Look! Jehovah is going forth from his place, and he will certainly come down and tread upon earth’s high places." (Micah 1:3) What is meant by these words? Not that God will leave his place in heaven, but that he will turn his attention to affairs on earth.

In the same way, when Christ turns his attention to the earth he resurrects those sleeping in death who will join him in heavenly rule. (1 Thessalonians 4:14, 15; Revelation 20:6) They, like Jesus, are invisibly raised to join him in the spirit realm. "those who are dead in union with Christ will rise first." Then those anointed Christians still living on earth will, as they complete their earthly course, "be caught away in clouds [resurrected as invisible spirit sons of God] to meet the [invisible] Lord in the air."afterward," as mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, means that such faithful ones who then die will also receive a resurrection in the spirit.—1 Corinthians 15:51-53.