Where should my thoughts be today?

Catchup · Apr 27, 2002

There is a question that is in my mind. I am not sure of the answer. It has to do with rapture. I have listened to you guys deal with the book of Revelations, in such a knowing inspiring manner. You may not have all the answers, but at least you have found the light switch. :idea:

Not so with me. I am completely in the dark... Other than to know that it speaks of a time in the future. It tells a story of incredible destruction but ends in beauty and Glory. :clap:

So anyway ... At one point I asked God about the book of Revelations. I asked to be enlighten, if there was anything, that I would need to understand. I will not go into detail, but that night I had a dream of Rapture. It was incredible beyond description! I can not wait to feel that closest to God again. :angel:

OK, So here are my questions.

(1)Do you believe that there is no need for me to have knowledge of what will have no bearing on my being? I will be raptured before any persecution.

(2)But the Bible speaks of others??? They will suffer persecution to the point of being be-headed for their Christian beliefs. Do you think these are the Christians who will have to run back to fill their lamps? Are these the Christians who do not believe that the World will be destroyed? Therefore, they are not ready and waiting to be raptured?

I have a desire to warn others of this danger but it is met with criticism. I most accept a good part of the blame. I do not have the art of sugar-coating hard Truth. :sorry:

Now I am to the point of believing that this final time could be put to better use by myself and maybe many more. The Spirit is calling me to get still closer to God. I believe we need to spend more and more time, in prayer and meditation upon his Word.
So my main question is...
How should we be spending our time?

Your Friend in Christ

LOVE

Mandy · Apr 27, 2002

We should occupy until He comes. Redeeming the time, by being witnesses of Jesus and living for Him.
Considering that there are some things that we won't go through, yet are in the Word, I think it is important for us to know these things.
Those who are beheaded are those who become saved during the tribulation.

rollinTHUNDER · Apr 27, 2002

Hello Catchup,
I liked Mandy's answer above. And to you brother, I would ask, isn't it TOTALLY AWESOME WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES TO VISIT us?? Talk about being humbled, WOE!! There is nothing like it!! I would add that we should snatch as many people from the fire, before it's too late. All christians should answer that call. See ya

postrib · Apr 27, 2002

...raptured before any persecution...

Note that no scripture promises us a rapture before the tribulation. Jesus says he will come to gather us together "immediately after the tribulation" (Matthew 24:29-31), and Paul says Jesus' coming to gather us together must "destroy" the Antichrist (2 Thessalonians 2:1-8). We Christians must go through the coming tribulation (Revelation 13:7-10, 14:12-13).

...the Christians who will have to run back to fill their lamps?...

In the parable of the 10 virgins, some believe the wise virgins must be taken in a pre-trib rapture. But the door is closed at Christ's coming (Matthew 25:10, compare Luke 13:24-28), which Jesus had just finished saying would be "immediately after the tribulation" (Matthew 24:29-31). There's no 3rd coming of Christ.

...Those who are beheaded are those who become saved during the tribulation...

While the Bible shows Christians in the tribulation (Revelation 6:11, 7:3, 7:14, 9:4, 12:17, 13:7-10, 14:12-13, 15:2, 20:4), note that it doesn't expressly show anyone repenting during the tribulation. In fact, it repeatedly says the unbelievers "repented not" (Revelation 9:20-21, 16:9-11), and Paul says that at some point in the tribulation "God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness" (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12). It's possible the Christians we see in the tribulation were saved before the tribulation began, for nowhere does Jesus promise us a rapture before the tribulation.

Lest any unbelievers get complacent and think "Oh, when I see all that Antichrist stuff then I'll repent and believe," I think we should warn them: "Then it may be too late; God is going to send a strong delusion (2 Thessalonians 2:11) on all those who rejected the gospel. Today is the day of salvation. You may not get another chance to believe."

Mandy · Apr 27, 2002

Rev 7:13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?

Rev 7:14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Rev 7:15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.

Rev 7:16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.

Rev 7:17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

Verse 14 clearly shows that there will be those who are saved during the tribulation.

postrib · Apr 27, 2002

...Verse 14 clearly shows that there will be those who are saved during the tribulation...

Note that it doesn't show the "great multitude" that "came out of great tribulation" (Revelation 7:9, 14) getting saved during the tribulation. It's possible they were saved before the tribulation began. I personally believe they will be those of us Christians who will enter the tribulation and die in a nuclear war and attendant famine of the 2nd through 4th seals, and in the persecution of the 5th seal, which occur in the chapter just prior (Revelation 6).

I believe they show that people can "obtain salvation" and enter into the great tribulation without being "appointed to the wrath" of 1 Thessalonians 5:9.

bonkers · Apr 27, 2002

Originally posted by Catchup
I have a desire to warn others of this danger but it is met with criticism. I most accept a good part of the blame. I do not have the art of sugar-coating hard Truth.

I have the same problem, either I am met with criticism or i scare them away :sigh:

does anyone know how to tell them right?

JohnR7 · Apr 28, 2002

>>Where should my thoughts be today?
>>There is a question that is in my mind. I am not sure of the answer.

Here is a partical list of qualities that make up the mind of Christ. That will give you an idea of where your mind and your thoughts should be. Thanks, JohnR7

http://home.neo.rr.com/johnr7/MindChrist/

Willis Deal · Apr 30, 2002

Catchup and bonkers, the greatest danger to face people in the last 2000 years has not been that the Lord would return, but that they would be unprepared to stand before God. The endtimes is a very complex subject and there are many different beliefs, but one thing upon which we CAN agree is that someday we will stand before God and give an account. There are people leaving this world every day and it isn't due to the rapture. So go back to the basics, sowing and watering. Plant seeds and water a bit (you don't use a fire hydrant to water a plant, just a word in due season). You don't expect to see a harvest the day after planting but plant where you can, water when you can, and expect a harvest.

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Where should my thoughts be today?

Catchup

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Mandy

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rollinTHUNDER

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postrib

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Mandy

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postrib

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bonkers

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JohnR7

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Willis Deal

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