When was the last time you heard the word Rapture in your Church?

[Helen]

Rapture to heaven’ believers say that people who dispute their theory; just cannot see or understand that belief.
It’s what we don't see in the Bible, where the difference lies. Nowhere does scripture say God intends to take His people to heaven. In fact Jesus Himself says such a thing is impossible. John 3:13, John 7:34, Revelation 2:25-26, +

People who read the whole Bible can establish the truth for themselves, that God's purpose is to have a people who will be His faithful believers, doing His will on earth. THAT is our purpose and our destiny!

But a lot of people don't bother to find out this truth, they listen to teachers and read fictional books that say we can just be good people, churchgoers and tithers, and God will remove them to heaven. They are told this fantastic event will happen before any Judgement or testing of their faith. They are told it is the Jewish people who must face tribulation, not them.

This scenario is not found anywhere in the Bible. It is made up from assumptions and making scriptures mean something they do not.
So the 'rapture to heaven' believers will never convince anyone who seriously reads their Bible.

The lazy people who accept doctrines from anywhere except the Bible, are deceived and because they choose to believe lies, the Lord has locked them into their delusions. Isaiah 29:9-12, and stopped their ears to the truth; 2 Timothy 4:4

Amen, good post.

 

[GISMYS_7]

And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast (anti-christ) and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Revelation 20:10====Anti-christ is a very real physical man possessed by satan who will stand in the soon to be rebuilt Jewish temple and proclaim himself to be god and YES!!! AT the endof this age God will cast him into the eternal lake of fire!!

 

[Dave L]

And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast (anti-christ) and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Revelation 20:10====Anti-christ is a very real physical man possessed by satan who will stand in the soon to be rebuilt Jewish temple and proclaim himself to be god and YES!!! AT the endof this age God will cast him into the eternal lake of fire!!

This is a trendy view with zero scriptural support.

 

[GISMYS_7]

This is a trendy view with zero scriptural support.[/QUOTE


Trendy view??? No!!! This IS God's Word concerning the judgment of the vanti-christ==Revelation 20:10===And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

 

[Willie T]

I had a bit of a surprise when I got to church this morning. Well, it wasn't really a surprise... but it WAS the first time I ever had a portion of a sermon directed, even partially, at me. The preacher kind of let me (and the rest of the congregation) know, from the pulpit, his feelings about "keyboard warriors". ( I had emailed him, and linked to this thread) And, rightfully so, I guess. The Bible DOES say I should have gone directly to him before running my mouth here on the forum about his intended upcoming sermon series.

After the final "Amen", and before I could bolt for the door, I heard him calling my name from the front. Anyway, though not overly pleased with me, I'm sure, he did assure me that he was not going to go all hellfire and "Left Behind" on us next week. And, he got me to commit to showing up and giving him a fair shake in the listening and absorbing department.

I think we both agreed that we don't agree on the specifics of the how and when (relative to the final coming) of the subject, but do agree on the more important fact that Jesus IS going to return. Anyhoo, since I know that I do have a foolish propensity for deciding what people are going to say before they say it, I suppose I will be sitting in the audience next Sunday..... AND paying attention.

 

[Enoch111]

Nowhere does scripture say God intends to take His people to heaven.

Which Bible do you have in order to make this preposterous claim? Even before Christ was crucified, He made it perfectly clear that God does indeed intend to take His people to Heaven (John 14:1-3).

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

So let's ask ourselves some pointed questions:
1. Who is "my Father" in this context? It is God the Father
2. Where is "my Father's house"? It is in Heaven (God's Heaven, the third heaven)
3. Where are those mansions? In the New Jerusalem, which is a heavenly city, and presently in Heaven.
4. Where is Christ at this very moment? Seated at the right hand of God the Father in Heaven.
5. What is "I will come again"? It is the event known as the Rapture, or more precisely the Resurrection/Rapture.
6. Where will Christ take His saints? To where He is, which is in Heaven.
7. Why did Jesus say "Let not your heart be troubled"? He was already anticipating all the nonsense about the Church going through the Tribulation and the Great Tribulation.

So how can anyone with even the slightest acquaintance with the Bible make such a PREPOSTEROUS CLAIM -- "Nowhere does scripture say God intends to take His people to heaven."

As a matter of fact ALL THE OT AND NT SAINTS ARE IN HEAVEN AT PRESENT, within the New Jerusalem.

But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, [THE NT SAINTS] and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, [THE OT SAINTS] And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. (Heb 12:22-24)

Here Paul draws aside the veil and reveals to us the reality of Heaven, and the heavenly city within Heaven. What do we see as presently in Heaven?

1. An innumerable company of angels.
2. All the NT saints -- "the Church of the firstborn"
3. God the Father, the Judge of all
4. All the OT saints -- "the spirits of just [justified] men made perfect"
5. Jesus, the Mediator of the New Covenant
6. The blood of Christ -- "the blood of sprinkling"

Frankly, I get really annoyed when people come along and make categorical statements which have no basis in Scripture. That is really harmful to those who may be new to the faith.

 

[Jane_Doe22]

When was the last time you heard the word Rapture in your Church?

This question doesn't make a lot of sense if you attend the majority of Christian churches which don't believe in "the Rapture" but have other views of end time events.

That doesn't mean any church is just a "social club", or that they don't believe in Christ, or aren't very dedicated to Him.

 

[Hidden In Him]

Frankly, I get really annoyed when people come along and make categorical statements which have no basis in Scripture. That is really harmful to those who may be new to the faith.

I struggle with this one too, and it's not our imagination that people are being corrupted. I even see active members being won over to false doctrine, and the actives are a small minority compared to visitors (I noticed the other day that there were only like 5 members on, but 66 visitors and 10 robots).

I have yet to master my emotions on the matter myself. It disturbs me. But I'm coming to the conclusion that amid all the other things I am responsible for spiritually, I just need to find whatever time I can to study the various heresies all the more diligently, and try to calmly refute them with the time available while maintaining my peace. In the end, each man is responsible to God for what he allows himself to believe; meanwhile, those who mislead will be held accountable. Should I be ignored despite teaching the truth, I rest in the fact that God will honor those who taught the word accurately when all is said and done, whether they were recognized for it in this life or not.

 

[GISMYS_7]

Why care what other little men may or may not believe? What does the Word of God say that should be our real concern.

I struggle with this one too, and it's not our imagination that people are being corrupted. I even see active members being won over to false doctrine, and the actives are a small minority compared to visitors (I noticed the other day that there were only like 5 members on, but 66 visitors and 10 robots).

I have yet to master my emotions on the matter myself. It disturbs me. But I'm coming to the conclusion that amid all the other things I am responsible for spiritually, I just need to find whatever time I can to study the various heresies all the more diligently, and try to calmly refute them with the time available while maintaining my peace. In the end, each man is responsible to God for what he allows himself to believe; meanwhile, those who mislead will be held accountable. Should I be ignored despite teaching the truth, I rest in the fact that God will honor those who taught the word accurately when all is said and done, whether they were recognized for it in this life or not.

Seek to know and understand God's Word not the ideas and opinions of other little men!!

 

[Hidden In Him]

Why care what other little men may or may not believe? What does the Word of God say that should be our real concern.

I have a heart for God, and do not like seeing His children misled.

 

[GISMYS_7]

I have a heart for God, and do not like seeing His children misled.

The read and believe God's Word and ignore the ideas and opinions of other little men!!!

 

[Hidden In Him]

The read and believe God's Word and ignore the ideas and opinions of other little men!!!

Not that simple.

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction. For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. (2 Timothy 4:1-3).

 

[GISMYS_7]

Yes!! Read God's Word and pray for wisdom to understand IT!!

 

[Dave L]

There is not one scripture to support the 7 year tribulation and pre-trib rapture = false doctrines.

 

[GISMYS_7]

There is not one scripture to support the 7 year tribulation and pre-trib rapture = false doctrines.

The last days wrath of God!!==Go, my people, enter your rooms and shut the doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until his wrath has passed by. See, the Lord is coming out of his dwelling to punish the people of the earth for their sins. The earth will disclose the blood shed on it; the earth will conceal its slain no longer (Isaiah 26:20-21).
Revelation 6:17 They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can withstand it?”

Believers are raptured before the great tribulation ===For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Tress. 5:9

 

[Dave L]

The last days wrath of God!!==Go, my people, enter your rooms and shut the doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until his wrath has passed by. See, the Lord is coming out of his dwelling to punish the people of the earth for their sins. The earth will disclose the blood shed on it; the earth will conceal its slain no longer (Isaiah 26:20-21).
Revelation 6:17 They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can withstand it?”

Believers are raptured before the great tribulation ===For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Tress. 5:9

The great tribulation happened in 70 AD as Jesus said, with Jerusalem's destruction. When he returns, it will be as in Noah's day. They were marrying and giving in marriage. They will also be proclaiming peace and safety. Then it all breaks loose bringing the resurrection, the rapture, the destruction of the universe by fire and the creation of the new heavens and earth. Where we remain forever in our glorified state.

 

[GISMYS_7]

OH!! Get real!!! The earth has always had tribulations but not like the great tribulation when men will be hiding in caves and crying for the rocks to fall on them and the sun burning and great sickness and sores covering their bodies!!!

 

[Nancy]

could prolly make a lot of money even, ya

 

[Nancy]

I had a bit of a surprise when I got to church this morning. Well, it wasn't really a surprise... but it WAS the first time I ever had a portion of a sermon directed, even partially, at me. The preacher kind of let me (and the rest of the congregation) know, from the pulpit, his feelings about "keyboard warriors". ( I had emailed him, and linked to this thread) And, rightfully so, I guess. The Bible DOES say I should have gone directly to him before running my mouth here on the forum about his intended upcoming sermon series.

After the final "Amen", and before I could bolt for the door, I heard him calling my name from the front. Anyway, though not overly pleased with me, I'm sure, he did assure me that he was not going to go all hellfire and "Left Behind" on us next week. And, he got me to commit to showing up and giving him a fair shake in the listening and absorbing department.

I think we both agreed that we don't agree on the specifics of the how and when (relative to the final coming) of the subject, but do agree on the more important fact that Jesus IS going to return. Anyhoo, since I know that I do have a foolish propensity for deciding what people are going to say before they say it, I suppose I will be sitting in the audience next Sunday..... AND paying attention.

"Anyhoo, since I know that I do have a foolish propensity for deciding what people are going to say before they say it" LOL---Same here Willie

 

[Nancy]

QUOTE="Hidden In Him, post: 459380, member: 7840"]I struggle with this one too, and it's not our imagination that people are being corrupted. I even see active members being won over to false doctrine, and the actives are a small minority compared to visitors (I noticed the other day that there were only like 5 members on, but 66 visitors and 10 robots).

I have yet to master my emotions on the matter myself. It disturbs me. But I'm coming to the conclusion that amid all the other things I am responsible for spiritually, I just need to find whatever time I can to study the various heresies all the more diligently, and try to calmly refute them with the time available while maintaining my peace. In the end, each man is responsible to God for what he allows himself to believe; meanwhile, those who mislead will be held accountable. Should I be ignored despite teaching the truth, I rest in the fact that God will honor those who taught the word accurately when all is said and done, whether they were recognized for it in this life or not.[/QUOTE]

"and try to calmly refute them with the time available while maintaining my peace." <---Yes, His peace at ALL costs.
On this forum, I have learned allot. I have learned to leave certain threads alone and just pray about them if I think they are heretical arguments. Unless a poster comments on something I wrote on here, disagreeing with me, I can give, gently and with scripture as best I can, the reasons why I believe something they do not. I have learned to NOT engage in nastiness of any kind, although I have had a moment or two of my own...especially if one of our regulars whom I have come to know fairly well and grown to love gets attacked. I might could get the hairs up a little, lol. Either way-we have The Holy Spirit as our ultimate AND personal "tutor" who will "bring us into all truth". ♥