dor1969

Does anyone believe that we are close to the rapture? I know that a lot of people don't believe in the rapture, and that's ok. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I respect that and I don't judge others if their opinion differs from mine. I do believe in the rapture and I do think it is close. Perhaps in 2008? Thoughts??

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If con is the opposite of pro...
Is congress the opposite of progress??:

atprm

This is the Catholic stance on this belief.



(1 Thess 4:15-17, RSV)

The phrase “shall be caught up together,” in the Latin is “simul rapiemur.” The word 'rapture' comes from the Latin of this passage. The verb 'rapio' refers to carrying something away quickly. Since this passage is a part of Sacred Scripture, the idea of a rapture cannot be dismissed as being non-existent. However, the exact meaning of this passage and of “shall be caught up together ... to meet the Lord in the air” must be carefully considered.

There is a widespread idea among Protestants that the rapture is an event whereby God takes a select group of faithful Christians out of the world before the tribulation. This idea of the rapture is incorrect and contradicts Sacred Scripture. Saint Paul states that “the dead in Christ will rise first,” and that those “who are left ... shall not precede those who have fallen asleep.” Since the dead rise first, the rapture occurs at the time of the Resurrection. And since those who are left do not precede the dead who rise, the rapture cannot occur before the tribulation, nor anytime before the Resurrection.

Saint Paul clearly indicates that he is referring to the Return of Christ: “we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord....” Therefore, the rapture does not occur before the tribulation, nor anytime before the Return of Christ. Certainly and without any doubt, Christ will return twice: first at the end of the Antichrist's reign, and second, many centuries later, for the general Resurrection. Now, to a certain extent, this passage refers to both the first and second Return of Christ. Therefore, the rapture occurs twice: first, at the end of the Antichrist's reign, and second, many centuries later at the time of the general Resurrection.

Christ will return in the year A.D. 2437, at the end of the Antichrist's reign of nearly seven years, which is the last week of years of Daniel's seventy weeks of years. This first Return of Christ soon ushers in a time of deep peace and profound holiness over all the earth, a time called the Millennium of Peace and Holiness. Concerning this time period, the Book of Revelation says:

(Rev 20:4-6, RSV).
This passage refers to the dead who were killed during the reign of the Antichrist because of their faithfulness to Jesus and to Sacred Scripture (which will be outlawed at that time). But what about those who are still alive, who were persecuted but not killed? Such as these will receive the same benefits as those who died and who are given the gift of the first resurrection. These receive the same benefits of the first resurrection, without dying and rising. They will be caught up together to meet the Lord in the air. This is the first rapture. It is only for a select few who remain faithful to God during the Antichrist's reign and who survive.

After the first Return of Christ, He punishes the wicked, establishes His kingdom on earth, and then He ascends to Heaven (Second Ascension). Next He sends out the Holy Spirit in the Second Pentecost, which occurs worldwide. After this, there will be a long time of over a thousand years of true peace and holiness over the whole world. Christianity will be the only religion on earth. Those risen from the dead in the first resurrection will not die. Only holy and devout persons will be leaders of the Church and the world.

This passage (Rev 20:4-6) also refers to the time of the general Resurrection, which occurs many centuries after Christ's first Return, and at the end of a long period of peace and holiness on earth. At the general Resurrection, the souls from Heaven, Purgatory, and Hell each rise from the dead and receive resurrected bodies. The faithful from Heaven and Purgatory receive glorious bodies like the glorified bodies of Jesus and Mary. Whereas the wicked from Hell receive horrible bodies befitting the horrific sins from which they never repented. And, at that time, those faithful who are still alive on earth do not die and immediately rise. Instead they receive the benefits of the Resurrection without ever having died. They will be caught up together to meet the Lord in the air. This is the second rapture. It is for all those very many faithful Christians who will still be alive at the time of the general Resurrection. They, along with the resurrected faithful, will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air.

In summary, the rapture is not an event whereby the faithful are removed from the world before a time of suffering. As Christ suffered, so also must the Church suffer. Truly, there will be a rapture, for Sacred Scripture describes it. But the true meaning of the rapture is a sharing in the Resurrection (the first resurrection and, later, the general Resurrection) for those faithful who are still alive on earth in each of those times.

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tngirl

I believe all hell is going to break loose, but I don't believe the rapture is at hand. There are still too many things not in play yet and they will take time to occur.

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4diego

Times are pretty bad, not like gas prices, but weather events, etc... I have been reading on the 2012 theory. It has to do with the bees disappearing, etc.. People aren't really worried about the bees but they do pollinate crops, etc.. and w/out them we have a problem. That, plus the horrific weather events, it makes you think. And all the horrible acts committed against children, etc... How long do you think God will let all this suffering go on?

dor1969

Lately I've been finding lots of dead bees on my patio. It kinda spooks me every time I find one, and it's been just in the last year that I've been finding them. As far as the 2012 theory....if the end will be in 2012, then the rapture could happen in 2008 because it is supposed to take place before the 3 1/2 year tribulation period. The violent weather, and violence in general are the "birth pains" that are to happen leading up to the rapture. They will intensify over time. Also, Christians are being discriminated against like never before. These are definitely times that we have never experienced on earth before. I don't think God will allow it to continue much longer. I can't wait until Jesus comes again! This world has become way too hateful for me.

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If con is the opposite of pro...
Is congress the opposite of progress??:

Char

Well, I am a christian, but, I don't believe in the 'rapture'. I do believe in the great tribulation, and armageddon... as foretold in relelations. I really don't think the 'end times' has a date, meaning the 2012 thing.

When asked when these things were to come, Jesus said no one knows, not even the son, but only the father. And when he listed the many 'signs', he ended with "the love of the greater number will cool off"... and THAT is what I have seen more than anything... people no longer care about others, families break down, very little true love, and even less natural love.

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"We had to get rid of the kids, the DOG was allergic!"

ang in NC

Either way I am ready to go be with the Lord. Tired of all of the battles in life.

Char

So sorry you feel that way, but, you are not alone. Things, like life, can really beat ya down. Things just get so....... tiresome, challenging etc... it does get old. I am so about NOT bringing people down, and it irks me the number of people who seem to feed on sucking the energy from others, "psychic vampires" if you will... they drain you.

Anyways, just remember, we all have our battles, you are never alone.

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"We had to get rid of the kids, the DOG was allergic!"

Bubblescc

Some days I do feel we are close. Especially when I hear Obama speak, all the talk about change etc....Now this is MY OPINION....so please dont qoute me, I am just being honest with my feelings and really get tired of all arguing because some are allowed to share an opinion and some are not without someone quoting them saying how wrong or horrible they are....

When I see the changes in America since 9/11.....some pretty scary things have happened starting with that...Also all the crime, the HORRIFIC crimes..the way people treat their children...it all sickens me...Sometimes I read these stories and I am thinking "Why am i reading this"....things are just different, yes crime has always existed....but not like this...

There are many more reasons,lol.....some days it just feels closer than others...If Obama is elected...well thats another story.I think his wife scares me more than him....I dont care for McCain either!

I guess I should not tell people not to qoute me, thats rude on my part for I can explain my views....I just dont want an argument cause I really dont have the time.....Just remember we all have opinions..Some of you may think Obama is great...and thats fine..cause either way we will know eventually..

And it has nothing to do with race, I am all for a black man being president just not him...

So I am NOT trying to offend anyone, just answering the OP's question

Wanted to add I am not sure how close, for I dont feel we will know the date....So it could be 5 years or 10 or whatever....I do feel it will be in my lifetime..If God lets me live anyway,lol

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In Loving Memory Of my Big Brother Merle Dec 10, 1964 to Feb 21, 2002. We all love and miss you!!!
I love Renaissanceman And My Wonderful Boys!
JOHN 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.


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Char

Well, you will never get any static from me, I just gave my own opinion also... not cramming anything down anyone's throat, just stating what I believe. I, like you, get sick of people taking MY opinion personal... or others as well... I would never call someone 'brainless' because they believe a certain way, that's just ignorance.

I do feel kinda the way you do too... times are very bad, crime, hate etc... I think it's all that 'the love of the greater number' is cooling off... it's very sad.

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"We had to get rid of the kids, the DOG was allergic!"

Adra

I believe the end of time is coming. I also think that while Jesus did say no one knows the time he also said there will be signs. I see so much of what he called he signs and I think it will be soon. but wheather it is soon or not, I could face my personal end of time at any time. I am a child of God and i am ready to go. He paid the price for it, I am ready to go.

The world is so full of cruelty, people are getting more evil, from simple things like rudeness to the other end of the spectrum of the child abuse and total disregard for each other. But even with all that we have to remember, we are in this world but separate from the world. Don't let satan steal your joy, keep your eye on where you are going.