Douggg

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With all the talk of Scottie Clarke's findings on the Revelation 12 sign that is supposed to take place on September 23rd of this year, as well as the solar eclipse crossing the United States (which is where I live) in the next month and then another eclipse going the other way in another 7 years, people are getting excited about the rapture.

I'm not.

As a Christian, I feel like I should be excited about being able to go and see Jesus face to face. The problem is that I'm still rather young, (I'm only 19, turning 20 next month) and there's so much of my life that I haven't lived yet, like starting college and finding a spouse. I know that we are not of this world, and that Heaven's going to be leagues above everything we are experiencing here, yet I still worry.

Also, in the back of my mind I keep having doubts about my own faith. "Am I ready?" "Am I being sanctified?" "Have I been justified?" "Will my faith grow stronger during the Tribulation if I'm not raptured?" I know in my mind and my heart that I should be focusing on loving God and serving others, but these thoughts keep popping back into my head. I also know perfect love casts out fear, why do I keep fearing about the End Times? It just goes on and on.

I don't want to debate whether what I said about the eclipses and Revelation 12 sign is indeed true. That's a topic for another thread. I just want to know, IF these things do indeed happen, how can I overcome this fear?
You do the necessary steps in life to make it through. That means in your case going to college, studying hard, focusing on the courses of your major. Make good financial decisions. Stay away from cigarettes, booze, and drugs.

Walk with Jesus in your soul, communicate with him internally. He is with you forever, face to face, or not. In this world and not in this world. This world has an end, yes, but you do not. You are weak, but he is strong. Build your life on Jesus.
 
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Bible2+

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Mr. KNUP said in post #1:

Also, in the back of my mind I keep having doubts about my own faith. "Am I ready?" "Am I being sanctified?" "Have I been justified?" "Will my faith grow stronger during the Tribulation if I'm not raptured?"

Christians, no matter what their rapture-timing view, need to be obedient to God now if they want to spiritually endure to the end during the future Tribulation of Revelation chapters 6 to 18 and Matthew 24 (Matthew 24:13). For only obedient Christians will have their spiritual houses on the rock, as it were, so they will endure the coming storm (Matthew 7:24-25). Disobedient Christians will have their spiritual houses on the sand, so they will fall away during the storm (Matthew 7:26-27). They will become part of the falling away, the apostasy (2 Thessalonians 2:3), the departure from the faith (1 Timothy 4:1), which will occur during the future Tribulation (Matthew 24:9-13, cf. Isaiah 8:21-22), to the ultimate loss of their salvation (Hebrews 6:4-8, John 15:6; 2 Timothy 2:12b).

Mr. KNUP said in post #1:

I also know perfect love casts out fear . . .

It's only if Christians perfectly love God that they won't misbehave (1 John 5:3, John 14:21-24), and so they won't have any fear of any impending punishment from God for any misbehavior (1 John 4:18). But if they become so wicked they lose their fear of God (Psalms 36:1, Psalms 10:13), and so continue to misbehave without repentance, they do need to fear impending punishment from God in the form of temporal chastening (Hebrews 12:6). And if they refuse to repent even after receiving temporal chastening (Revelation 3:19, Revelation 2:21), they need to fear God's ability to cast them into hell (Luke 12:5) for their unrepentant misbehavior (Hebrews 10:26-29, Luke 12:45-46).
 
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LostChildinTheMidst

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With all the talk of Scottie Clarke's findings on the Revelation 12 sign that is supposed to take place on September 23rd of this year, as well as the solar eclipse crossing the United States (which is where I live) in the next month and then another eclipse going the other way in another 7 years, people are getting excited about the rapture.

I'm not.

As a Christian, I feel like I should be excited about being able to go and see Jesus face to face. The problem is that I'm still rather young, (I'm only 19, turning 20 next month) and there's so much of my life that I haven't lived yet, like starting college and finding a spouse. I know that we are not of this world, and that Heaven's going to be leagues above everything we are experiencing here, yet I still worry.

Also, in the back of my mind I keep having doubts about my own faith. "Am I ready?" "Am I being sanctified?" "Have I been justified?" "Will my faith grow stronger during the Tribulation if I'm not raptured?" I know in my mind and my heart that I should be focusing on loving God and serving others, but these thoughts keep popping back into my head. I also know perfect love casts out fear, why do I keep fearing about the End Times? It just goes on and on.

I don't want to debate whether what I said about the eclipses and Revelation 12 sign is indeed true. That's a topic for another thread. I just want to know, IF these things do indeed happen, how can I overcome this fear?
I agree so much! I'm in highschool and I'm a female I'm going through the same struggles you are going through except I'm afraid God is super angry at me.
 
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LostChildinTheMidst

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Christians, no matter what their rapture-timing view, need to be obedient to God now if they want to spiritually endure to the end during the future Tribulation of Revelation chapters 6 to 18 and Matthew 24 (Matthew 24:13). For only obedient Christians will have their spiritual houses on the rock, as it were, so they will endure the coming storm (Matthew 7:24-25). Disobedient Christians will have their spiritual houses on the sand, so they will fall away during the storm (Matthew 7:26-27). They will become part of the falling away, the apostasy (2 Thessalonians 2:3), the departure from the faith (1 Timothy 4:1), which will occur during the future Tribulation (Matthew 24:9-13, cf. Isaiah 8:21-22), to the ultimate loss of their salvation (Hebrews 6:4-8, John 15:6; 2 Timothy 2:12b).



It's only if Christians perfectly love God that they won't misbehave (1 John 5:3, John 14:21-24), and so they won't have any fear of any impending punishment from God for any misbehavior (1 John 4:18). But if they become so wicked they lose their fear of God (Psalms 36:1, Psalms 10:13), and so continue to misbehave without repentance, they do need to fear impending punishment from God in the form of temporal chastening (Hebrews 12:6). And if they refuse to repent even after receiving temporal chastening (Revelation 3:19, Revelation 2:21), they need to fear God's ability to cast them into hell (Luke 12:5) for their unrepentant misbehavior (Hebrews 10:26-29, Luke 12:45-46).
Hi dear friend, I've been unrepentant for a month, except I've been feeling guilty about it, can you give me advice? Please don't be condemning I know I'm making bad choices and I try to justify them by the excuse "I'm in highschool" but even when I read Hebrews, I used to be so afraid but now I don't care anymore. I sti believe in Jesus but I'm in sin. Which I know is super bad. I thank God because his mercy and grace is the reason I wake up in the morning, but I still sin! It's horrible friend.
 
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Alithis

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With all the talk of Scottie Clarke's findings on the Revelation 12 sign that is supposed to take place on September 23rd of this year, as well as the solar eclipse crossing the United States (which is where I live) in the next month and then another eclipse going the other way in another 7 years, people are getting excited about the rapture.

I'm not.

As a Christian, I feel like I should be excited about being able to go and see Jesus face to face. The problem is that I'm still rather young, (I'm only 19, turning 20 next month) and there's so much of my life that I haven't lived yet, like starting college and finding a spouse. I know that we are not of this world, and that Heaven's going to be leagues above everything we are experiencing here, yet I still worry.

Also, in the back of my mind I keep having doubts about my own faith. "Am I ready?" "Am I being sanctified?" "Have I been justified?" "Will my faith grow stronger during the Tribulation if I'm not raptured?" I know in my mind and my heart that I should be focusing on loving God and serving others, but these thoughts keep popping back into my head. I also know perfect love casts out fear, why do I keep fearing about the End Times? It just goes on and on.

I don't want to debate whether what I said about the eclipses and Revelation 12 sign is indeed true. That's a topic for another thread. I just want to know, IF these things do indeed happen, how can I overcome this fear?
1st..I don't recall what a futurist is sorry.
2nd.. The words that stood out to me in your post is “my life” I want to live “my” life...
Of you do..you won't get to see Jesus.
 
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lastofall

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Concerning self..
"If any man will come after me, let him deny [disown] himself [his own will], and take up [carry] his cross [load] daily, and follow me."
(Luke 9:23)

Concerning faith..
"..faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
(Romans 10:17)
Note: hearing is not mere listening, rather it is accepting and submitting to and relying upon the Word of God: if therefore we lack faith, then we must more abundantly hear God's Word.

Concerning justification..
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:1)

Concerning signs..
"An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. (Matthew 12:39-40)
 
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1gh2g3f4

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there is a lot of useful information already said here... but i wouldn't worry about the rapture happening... thats not even biblical... thats not even something said in the bible or taught in anyway like you know it now... the way you know it isnt true.. and if you think it is... i would challenge you to read it or find those teachings yourself.... i will however give you the verse that people look to so that they try and prove their point (and thats ok it means you are reading but you are not studying) but i will also elaborate on it and give others as well so that you can understand things and this is it...

"1 Thessalonians 4:17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever."

now... how do you understand "the rapture" you understand that god is going to come and save all the chosen people who make the cut from this great and terrible thing..... well no thats not what the verses say at all. nor does it line up with several other understandings i do believe that the rapture came from the 1950s... so its really rather a new teaching to be so widely accepted and also false... (the truth will set you free not bond you the rapture you know isnt the truth its just what your "ears want to hear"..(2 Timothy 4:3)) did you know that in there is gods elect that are gods chosen people that the angels are to come and mark? (Revelation 7:3)

(im going to be making markers "><" so that i have you focus more on certain words and commentary on things as you read it in parentheses to help with this understanding and why this teaching isnt true..)

"Matthew 24:29-30 "Immediately >after the distress of those days< (what happens after that?) "'the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.' (what happens after that?) "Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory" (what happens when he comes??? )

"1 Thessalonians 4:17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever."


.... im going to put just these 2 parts together... and see if you understand that no one will be "raptured" before the judgement day (when jesus returns and thats not going to be before all the destruction) there is no rapture like you know... and all of that has to do with because its not in the bible brother.. (the first verse has another that goes behind it.. "1 Thessalonians 4:17 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first." ) (there is no rapture to save people while they are still alive and on earth before the day of judgement.. that is a 100% false teaching..)
 
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1gh2g3f4

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its not letting me edit properly at the end of my post i said "1 Thessalonians 4:17"
what i meant to say was

"1 Thessalonians 4:16
For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first."
(showing you that its the dead that will rise first not those still alive and not only that... in the very verse after this they use... it says "we who are still alive and left will be caught up.". it directly says AFTER these things happen.. so the rapture that you describe and the one you know... it isn't true there is no rapture like that to worry about problem solved you can stop worrying now. and all that you need is about 3-4 verses to teach this same thing to anyone.... so now you too can speak the truth... (there is A LOT more verses that would prove this point but this is all you need to prove the entire doctrine wrong to be raptured before all the destruction and then the coming of god. nope thats not what the good say says brother..)
 
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dougangel

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Hello
Going to the scriptures and re enforcing what God says gets rid of anxiety. The lord tells us hundreds of times in the bible to be joyous. There is a reason for that. If your mind is like a little child we have to be careful what we tell our mind. Or if you wouldn't tell a child something why do we say that to ourselves in our thought life? Jesus said people in the end times would increase in anxiety. That is definitely happening. We have to tell ourselves fear worry and negative thought life isn't good for a happy christian life.

1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
“Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid.” John 14:27
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7
“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” Psalm 94:19
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34
“Humble yourselves, then, under God’s mighty hand, so that he will lift you up in his own good time. Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7
“Do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?” Luke 12:22-26
hope that helps you bless you
 
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JacksBratt

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With all the talk of Scottie Clarke's findings on the Revelation 12 sign that is supposed to take place on September 23rd of this year, as well as the solar eclipse crossing the United States (which is where I live) in the next month and then another eclipse going the other way in another 7 years, people are getting excited about the rapture.

I'm not.

As a Christian, I feel like I should be excited about being able to go and see Jesus face to face. The problem is that I'm still rather young, (I'm only 19, turning 20 next month) and there's so much of my life that I haven't lived yet, like starting college and finding a spouse. I know that we are not of this world, and that Heaven's going to be leagues above everything we are experiencing here, yet I still worry.

Also, in the back of my mind I keep having doubts about my own faith. "Am I ready?" "Am I being sanctified?" "Have I been justified?" "Will my faith grow stronger during the Tribulation if I'm not raptured?" I know in my mind and my heart that I should be focusing on loving God and serving others, but these thoughts keep popping back into my head. I also know perfect love casts out fear, why do I keep fearing about the End Times? It just goes on and on.

I don't want to debate whether what I said about the eclipses and Revelation 12 sign is indeed true. That's a topic for another thread. I just want to know, IF these things do indeed happen, how can I overcome this fear?
Firstly.... what is a "futurist"??

Secondly.... the fact you are worrying shows you fear God. Sounds like you are "ready" for what ever happens as far as the end of this age.

Thirdly.... we have no guarantee that anything will happen in September and it could zoom past us just like last months grocery bill.

And, finally, I know what you feel like in regards to all the things life has to offer and that you would somehow miss out if the end came this September. However, what is awaiting us in eternity will make what you miss out on in this life laughable.

Think of being upset that you missed out on finding a nice round pebble at the beach when you have a huge pure diamond waiting for you. Or, being upset that you didn't get to eat some hay when you have a full 5 course meal waiting for you.

Again, I understand, I felt the same way. This life, regardless of the struggles, trials, hardships and battles, has lots to offer and look forward to as a young man.

All of these disappointments will melt in a millisecond when you get to glory. It will then be laughable as to what you were worrying about.
 
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CrystalDragon

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With all the talk of Scottie Clarke's findings on the Revelation 12 sign that is supposed to take place on September 23rd of this year, as well as the solar eclipse crossing the United States (which is where I live) in the next month and then another eclipse going the other way in another 7 years, people are getting excited about the rapture.

I'm not.

As a Christian, I feel like I should be excited about being able to go and see Jesus face to face. The problem is that I'm still rather young, (I'm only 19, turning 20 next month) and there's so much of my life that I haven't lived yet, like starting college and finding a spouse. I know that we are not of this world, and that Heaven's going to be leagues above everything we are experiencing here, yet I still worry.

Also, in the back of my mind I keep having doubts about my own faith. "Am I ready?" "Am I being sanctified?" "Have I been justified?" "Will my faith grow stronger during the Tribulation if I'm not raptured?" I know in my mind and my heart that I should be focusing on loving God and serving others, but these thoughts keep popping back into my head. I also know perfect love casts out fear, why do I keep fearing about the End Times? It just goes on and on.

I don't want to debate whether what I said about the eclipses and Revelation 12 sign is indeed true. That's a topic for another thread. I just want to know, IF these things do indeed happen, how can I overcome this fear?

Haven't people thought "the Rapture" was going to come for millennia? Every single one has been wrong. Even the Apostles who were certain it would come in their lifetimes and implied by what Jesus apparently said.

Also solar eclipses aren't exactly the rarest thing in the universe. They're rare but they happen.

I'll be waiting for September 23rd (do you have any links to the Revelation 12 thing regarding it you mentioned), but I don't think it will be different than any other day.
 
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SeventyOne

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Haven't people thought "the Rapture" was going to come for millennia? Every single one has been wrong. Even the Apostles who were certain it would come in their lifetimes and implied by what Jesus apparently said.

Also solar eclipses aren't exactly the rarest thing in the universe. They're rare but they happen.

I'll be waiting for September 23rd (do you have any links to the Revelation 12 thing regarding it you mentioned), but I don't think it will be different than any other day.

What makes you think the apostles expected it in their lifetimes? Jesus told Peter he would live to be an old man and then crucified. They couldn't of had any eminent expectation concerning the rapture as a result, at least not until Peter was old and dead.

Then Paul stated the rapture was at the last trump, which is a very specific part of a specific festival. So when that passed each year, he (and us by extension) would know it was at least a year away.
 
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CrystalDragon

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What makes you think the apostles expected it in their lifetimes? Jesus told Peter he would live to be an old man and then crucified. They couldn't of had any eminent expectation concerning the rapture as a result, at least not until Peter was old and dead.

Then Paul stated the rapture was at the last trump, which is a very specific part of a specific festival. So when that passed each year, he (and us by extension) would know it was at least a year away.


Here's some verses that imply it, first some from Jesus (assuming the writers of the Bible got it down correctly) then some from his followers:

“For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.” – Matthew 16:27-28

“Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age? . . . This generation will not pass away until all of these things take place.” – Matthew 24:3, 34

“Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book.” – Revelation 22:7,12,20

“You (Chief Priests and Sanhedrin) shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” – Matthew 26:64

“If I want him (John) to remain until I come, what is that to you. You follow me!” – John 21:21-23 (And according to church tradition, all the apostles except John died before the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D, explaining why Revelation was the last book written. It almost wasn't in the Bible at all, but I digress.)

“All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.” – Matthew 10:22-23

“The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to make known to his servants the things which must shortly come to pass.” – Revelation 1:1

“Blessed is he that reads . . . hears . . . and keeps the things written (in this prophecy), for the time is at hand.” – Revelation 1:3

“The world is passing away . . . it is the last hour (eschatos ) . . . Even now many antichrists have arisen; from this we know that it is the last hour.” – 1 John 2:17-18

“The time is short, from now on it would be wise for those who have wives to be as if they had them not.” – 1 Corinthians 7:29

“And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.” – Romans 13:11-12

“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” – Romans 16:20

“These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.” – 1 Corinthians 10:11

“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another– and all the more as you see the Day approaching. . . . You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while, “He who is coming will come and will not delay.”” – Hebrews 10:25,36-37

“For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.” - 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17

“…the coming of the Lord is near. …the Judge is standing right at the door.” - James 5:8, 9
 
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SeventyOne

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Here's some verses that imply it, first some from Jesus (assuming the writers of the Bible got it down correctly) then some from his followers:

“For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.” – Matthew 16:27-28

“Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age? . . . This generation will not pass away until all of these things take place.” – Matthew 24:3, 34

“Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book.” – Revelation 22:7,12,20

“You (Chief Priests and Sanhedrin) shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” – Matthew 26:64

“If I want him (John) to remain until I come, what is that to you. You follow me!” – John 21:21-23 (And according to church tradition, all the apostles except John died before the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D, explaining why Revelation was the last book written. It almost wasn't in the Bible at all, but I digress.)

“All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.” – Matthew 10:22-23

“The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to make known to his servants the things which must shortly come to pass.” – Revelation 1:1

“Blessed is he that reads . . . hears . . . and keeps the things written (in this prophecy), for the time is at hand.” – Revelation 1:3

“The world is passing away . . . it is the last hour (eschatos ) . . . Even now many antichrists have arisen; from this we know that it is the last hour.” – 1 John 2:17-18

“The time is short, from now on it would be wise for those who have wives to be as if they had them not.” – 1 Corinthians 7:29

“And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.” – Romans 13:11-12

“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” – Romans 16:20

“These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.” – 1 Corinthians 10:11

“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another– and all the more as you see the Day approaching. . . . You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while, “He who is coming will come and will not delay.”” – Hebrews 10:25,36-37

“For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.” - 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17

“…the coming of the Lord is near. …the Judge is standing right at the door.” - James 5:8, 9

I'm aware of all of those. Context would be the key in each case. None of them actually make your point.
 
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I'm aware of all of those. Context would be the key in each case. None of them actually make your point.

Saying things like "this generation shall not pass away" and "we who are alive", and talking about how Jesus will not delay his return and it's even nearer than they thought seem pretty clear to me. I'll have to give it a look but I don't think the context would be talking about anything else.
 
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Assuming you are saved any time spent with God after the rapture will be far far better than any time you spend here. You will be saved a lot of heartache and pain if you are raptured young. You should rejoice rather than be fearful.
 
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Haven't people thought "the Rapture" was going to come for millennia? Every single one has been wrong. Even the Apostles who were certain it would come in their lifetimes and implied by what Jesus apparently said.

Also solar eclipses aren't exactly the rarest thing in the universe. They're rare but they happen.

I'll be waiting for September 23rd (do you have any links to the Revelation 12 thing regarding it you mentioned), but I don't think it will be different than any other day.


you are correct on setting the "dates" but its for when god himself will return... now whatever (likely junk) this person has posted.. since this is placed where it is rev 12... its actually talking about the anti-christ and satan... not god's return.. dont care what date you have. yes they preached that he would come soon not a single one said in their life times... some probably did wonder such things because of the romans and the mass murderings.... but this wasnt hope for the day this was hope for life. its not a message of doom and gloom.. its a message about hope and glory and unimaginable wonders its the final blow to evil from god... and the final count down for evil... yes they wanted to preach this message and right at the beginning of the book it blesses gives blessings.... "Revelation 1:3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near." you dont have to wait for any date to point out saying ha i told you so its wrong because of "Matthew 24:36" i really dont understand who these kinda people are thinking about setting of dates when god himself said nope.... its just a gimmie... said he will come like a thirf in the night... so its going to surprise everyone...

What makes you think the apostles expected it in their lifetimes? Jesus told Peter he would live to be an old man and then crucified. They couldn't of had any eminent expectation concerning the rapture as a result, at least not until Peter was old and dead.

Then Paul stated the rapture was at the last trump, which is a very specific part of a specific festival. So when that passed each year, he (and us by extension) would know it was at least a year away.


paul did not start the rapture.... it was darby in the 19th century you should read my other posts... there is no rapture.. proven with the bible... you cant do that with the rapture as it is taught as a "pre-tribulation rapture" (read how he worded it... get saved skip all the bad stuff but somehow gods very elect are the ones who are left behind?? no.. first the dead in christ will rise first.. then those who are still alive) which means before all the bad stuff on earth... and thats just not true. and i think you know this... just read these verses.. and ill even start with the ONE verse everyone uses... but uses it recklessly...
"1 Thessalonians 4: 15-17
We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever."

Matthew 24:29-30
"Immediately after the distress of those days "'the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.' "Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.

so with just 4 verses.... this is the time line... you that are alive will not meet the lord before the dead... there will be distress then after that and all the horrible things that will happen to the planet and the people... this will be a bad time to be alive..... because the right after that this happens...
Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.

there is no rapture... according to the bible.
 
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LostChildinTheMidst said in post #24:

I've been unrepentant for a month, except I've been feeling guilty about it, can you give me advice?

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Regarding repenting from a sin (Acts 8:22; 2 Corinthians 12:21, Revelation 3:19), that means to change one's mind regarding that sin, in the sense of having no plans to ever commit it again, knowing God has made it possible for Christians not to sin (John 8:34-36, Romans 8:2-14, Romans 6:1-23; 2 Corinthians 7:1), even when they're tempted to do so (2 Peter 2:9a; 1 Corinthians 10:13, Matthew 6:13; 1 Corinthians 9:27, Romans 8:13, Galatians 5:16).

But if, sometime after repenting from a sin, Christians nonetheless wrongly employ their free will to commit that sin again, this doesn't mean they hadn't previously repented from that sin, or that they as continued believers in Jesus Christ and His Gospel aren't saved. What they need to do is repent from that sin again and confess it to God, and they will be completely forgiven (1 John 1:9, cf. Luke 17:4).

Satan wants Christians to fail to continue to come to Jesus, to think it's hopeless, that they're just too evil for Jesus, when in fact Jesus is waiting with open arms to forgive them for their sins which weigh down on them so heavily (Matthew 11:28-30).

LostChildinTheMidst said in post #24:

. . . even when I read Hebrews, I used to be so afraid but now I don't care anymore.

Don't stop caring, or fearing.

Hebrews 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

Romans 11:20b . . . Be not highminded, but fear:
21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
 
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alhaynes86 said in post #27:

. . . i wouldn't worry about the rapture happening... thats not even biblical...

Note that the English word "rapture" is derived from the root of the Latin word "rapiemur", which is how the old Latin (Vulgate) translation of the Bible translated the original Greek word (harpazo) translated as "caught up" in 1 Thessalonians 4:17. So the "rapture" is the Church's being "caught up" together to Jesus Christ at His future, Second Coming (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17), which is the same as the Church's being "gathered together" to Jesus at His Second Coming (2 Thessalonians 2:1, Matthew 24:30-31, John 14:3), which will occur immediately after the future Tribulation of Revelation chapters 6 to 18 and Matthew 24 (Matthew 24:29-31; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Revelation 19:7 to 20:6).

Christians need to be wary of the mistaken idea no rapture will occur at Jesus' Second Coming. For such an idea could be employed in our future by the Antichrist's False Prophet (of Revelation 19:20, Revelation 13:13-15) to fool some Christians into thinking Jesus' Second Coming has happened (Matthew 24:23-26) without Jesus having to have raptured (caught up together/gathered together) the Church to hold a meeting in the sky with Him at His Second Coming (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; 2 Thessalonians 2:1, Matthew 24:30-31, John 14:3).

At that meeting, Jesus Christ will judge everyone in the Church (Psalms 50:3-5, cf. Mark 13:27) by their works (2 Corinthians 5:10, Romans 2:6-8, Luke 12:45-48, Matthew 25:19-30). And then Jesus will marry in the clouds the obedient part of the Church (Revelation 19:7-8, Matthew 25:1-12), those in the Church (of all times) who "overcame" to the end (Revelation 3:5, Revelation 2:26). They will then mount white horses and come back down from the sky (the first heaven) with Jesus (Revelation 19:14) as He defeats the Antichrist (the individual-man aspect of Revelation's "beast") and the world's armies (Revelation 19:15-21). Jesus will then make the marriage supper of Revelation 19:9 for the physically-resurrected and married obedient part of the Church in the earthly Jerusalem (Isaiah 25:6-9; 1 Corinthians 15:54). Jesus and the obedient part of the Church will then physically reign on the earth for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:4-6, Revelation 5:10, Revelation 2:26-29).

alhaynes86 said in post #27:

there is no rapture to save people while they are still alive and on earth before the day of judgement.. that is a 100% false teaching..

The Bible shows Jesus Christ won't come and gather together (rapture) the Church until immediately after the future Tribulation of Revelation chapters 6 to 18 and Matthew 24 (Matthew 24:29-31, Mark 13:24-27; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8). That's why the marriage of the Church doesn't happen until Revelation 19:7, in connection with Jesus' Second Coming and the physical resurrection of the Church at that time (Revelation 19:7 to 20:6; 1 Corinthians 15:21-23,51-53; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-16). Matthew 24:30-31 refers to the same Second Coming of Jesus and gathering together (rapture) of the Church as 2 Thessalonians 2:1, which refers to the same Second Coming of Jesus and catching up together (rapture) of the Church as 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17.

Jesus Christ won't return and gather together (rapture) the Church until sometime after there's a falling away (an apostasy) in the Church, and the future Antichrist sits (at least one time) in a 3rd Jewish temple in Jerusalem and proclaims himself God (2 Thessalonians 2:1-4, Daniel 11:31,36, Revelation 11:1-2, Revelation 13:4-8), and the abomination of desolation (possibly a standing, android image of the Antichrist) is set up in the holy place (the inner sanctum) of the 3rd Jewish temple (Matthew 24:15-31, Daniel 11:31). For when Jesus returns to gather together (and marry) the Church, He will destroy the Antichrist (2 Thessalonians 2:1,8, Revelation 19:7,20). Before Jesus returns, the Church will have to go through the future, literal 3.5 years of the Antichrist's worldwide reign (Revelation 13:5-10, Revelation 14:12-13, Revelation 20:4-6, Matthew 24:9-31).

At Jesus Christ's Second Coming (1 Thessalonians 4:15; 2 Thessalonians 2:1, Matthew 24:30), the Church will be physically resurrected and caught up together/gathered together (raptured) (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; 2 Thessalonians 2:1, Matthew 24:31), not to remove the Church from the earth (Proverbs 10:30, John 17:15,20), but to take the Church only as high as the clouds of the sky to hold a meeting in the air with the returned Jesus (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
 
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CrystalDragon said in post #33:

“For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.” – Matthew 16:27-28

Note that the transfiguration of Jesus Christ was a coming of the Kingdom of God with power (Mark 9:1-9, Luke 9:27-36) in the same sense Jesus' previous and subsequent casting out of devils was a coming of the Kingdom of God with power (Matthew 12:28, Luke 11:20). That is, such events showed God's power had come to the earth in the person of Jesus Christ at His first coming.

So Matthew 16:28, Luke 9:27, and Mark 9:1 were fulfilled at the subsequent transfiguration (Matthew 16:28 to 17:9, Luke 9:27-36, Mark 9:1-9; 2 Peter 1:16-18). Just as the "power", "coming", and "majesty" in 2 Peter 1:16 refer to the transfiguration in 2 Peter 1:17-18, so the "power", "coming", and "kingdom" in Mark 9:1, Matthew 16:28, and Luke 9:27 refer to the subsequent transfiguration in Mark 9:2-9, Matthew 17:1-9, and Luke 9:28-36.

Regarding Jesus Christ's still-unfulfilled Second Coming in Matthew 16:27, Luke 9:26, and Mark 8:38, Jesus Christ will return "in like manner" as He ascended (Acts 1:11b), in that just as at the end of His first coming He was seen by literal eyes to ascend physically from the Mount of Olives into a literal cloud and on into heaven (Acts 1:9,12, cf. Luke 24:39), so at His future, Second Coming He will be seen in literal clouds by literal eyes (Revelation 1:7, Matthew 24:30) to physically descend from heaven (1 Thessalonians 4:16) and set His feet on the Mount of Olives (Zechariah 14:3-21).

CrystalDragon said in post #33:

“Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age? . . . This generation will not pass away until all of these things take place.” – Matthew 24:3, 34

Note that Matthew 24:34 refers to the fulfillment of "all these things", all the events of the future Tribulation, and Jesus Christ's Second Coming and the gathering together (rapture) of the Church "immediately after" the Tribulation (Matthew 24:29-31; cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17, Revelation 19:2 to 20:6), which events Jesus had just finished describing in Matthew 24:2-31, and which He would later show in great detail in Revelation chapters 6 to 19. Matthew 24:34 didn't mean the Tribulation, Second Coming, and rapture would be fulfilled during the temporal generation alive at the time of Jesus' first coming in the 1st century AD, for none of those things was fulfilled during that temporal generation.

Instead, Matthew 24:34 could mean the temporal generation which would see the 1948 AD reestablishment of Israel, which could be symbolized by the rebudding of the fig tree (Matthew 24:32-34; cf. Matthew 21:19,43, Hosea 9:10, Joel 1:6-7, Luke 13:6-9), won't pass, that is, won't die off completely, until the future Tribulation and Second Coming of Matthew 24 and Revelation chapters 6 to 19 are fulfilled. A temporal generation may not pass until 70 or 80 years (Psalms 90:10), or 120 years (Genesis 6:3).

This doesn't require Jesus Christ's future, Second Coming will occur right before, like one year before, that generation will pass: that is, 69, or 79, or 119 years after 1948: in 2017, 2027, or 2067. And if the Tribulation which will immediately precede the Second Coming and rapture (Matthew 24:29-31; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Revelation 19:7 to 20:6) will last seven years (Daniel 9:27), the Tribulation's first year didn't have to be in 2011, and won't have to be in 2021 or 2061, but could be in a future year (e.g. 2020) earlier than 2021.

Matthew 24:34 could also include the meaning that the figurative, all-times generation of the elect (Matthew 24:22, Luke 16:8b; 1 Peter 2:9, Colossians 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 1:4) won't pass away from the earth during the future Tribulation of Matthew 24 and Revelation chapters 6 to 18, but that some of the elect will survive (Matthew 24:22) until Jesus Christ's Second Coming (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; 1 Corinthians 15:21-23,51-53), immediately after the Tribulation (Matthew 24:29-31; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8, Revelation 19:7 to 20:6).

CrystalDragon said in post #33:

“Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book.” – Revelation 22:7,12,20

. . .

“The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to make known to his servants the things which must shortly come to pass.” – Revelation 1:1

“Blessed is he that reads . . . hears . . . and keeps the things written (in this prophecy), for the time is at hand.” – Revelation 1:3

Note that in Revelation 1:1,3, as in Revelation 22:6,10, "shortly" and "at hand" can be understood in the same manner as: "Surely I come quickly" in Revelation 22:20, which refers to Jesus Christ's still-unfulfilled Second Coming. That is, shortly/at hand/quickly in these verses can be understood from the viewpoint of God, not men (2 Peter 3:8-9).

Also, from the viewpoint of men, part of what Revelation chapters 2-3 foretold could have begun unfolding "shortly" (Revelation 1:1,3) after the apostle John saw his Revelation vision. For the letters to the seven, literal, 1st century AD local church congregations (Revelation chapters 2-3) in seven cities in the Roman province of "Asia" (Revelation 1:11b) could have foretold a 1st century persecution (Revelation 2:10, Revelation 3:10) under the Roman Emperor Domitian which happened shortly after John saw his vision around 95 AD, near the end of Domitian's reign (Irenaeus, Against Heresies 5:30:3c). But even all of the (to us) still-future events of the Tribulation and subsequent Second Coming of Revelation chapters 6 to 19 will unfold "shortly" (Revelation 1:1,3) or "quickly" (Revelation 22:20) after John saw his vision. For from the viewpoint of God, even the passing of some 2,000 years is like the passing of only two days (2 Peter 3:8). Christians should look at the future fulfillment of Revelation chapters 6 to 19 (and Matthew 24) from the viewpoint of God, not men, for whom the passing of some 2,000 years seems like a long delay for its fulfillment (2 Peter 3:9).

Other books in the Bible contain prophecies of events which wouldn't occur for 3,000 to 4,000 years. For example, Ezekiel prophesied of the Gog/Magog event (Ezekiel chapters 38-39, Revelation 20:8-9) some 3,600 years before its (still future) occurrence. For Ezekiel gave that prophecy some 600 years before Jesus Christ's first coming, but it won't be fulfilled until some 1,000 years after Jesus' (still future) Second Coming (Revelation 19:7 to 20:10). Also, God prophesied Jesus' spiritual defeat of Satan at the Crucifixion (Genesis 3:15, Hebrews 2:14) some 4,000 years before its occurrence. And Isaiah prophesied God creating a New Heaven and New Earth (Isaiah 66:22, Revelation 21:1-8) some 3,700 years before its (still future) occurrence. For Isaiah gave that prophecy some 700 years before Jesus' first coming, but it won't be fulfilled until some 1,000 years after His Second Coming (Revelation 19:7 to 21:8).

CrystalDragon said in post #33:

“You (Chief Priests and Sanhedrin) shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” – Matthew 26:64

This doesn't mean Jesus Christ's Second Coming (Matthew 24:30-31, Revelation 1:7, Revelation 19:7 to 20:3) had to have occurred while the high priest and other Christ-rejecters Jesus was addressing in Matthew 26:64 were still alive. Instead, Matthew 26:64 means even though they will have been dead for some 2,000 years, and their souls will be in Hades, they will still see Jesus' Second Coming when it occurs in our future. For the souls of the dead in Hades are able to see things (Luke 16:23).

CrystalDragon said in post #33:

“If I want him (John) to remain until I come, what is that to you. You follow me!” – John 21:21-23

Jesus Christ asked John 21:22 only as a hypothetical to get His apostle Peter to confront any envy he might have over Peter's having to die a martyr's death (John 21:18-19) while the apostle John might not have to because John was "the disciple whom Jesus loved" (John 21:20). John 21:23 makes clear that in John 21:22, Jesus wasn't saying John wouldn't die before Jesus' Second Coming, which still hasn't happened yet.

CrystalDragon said in post #33:

“All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.” – Matthew 10:22-23

Note that nothing requires the 12 apostles (Matthew 10:5) addressed in Matthew 10:23b preached in every town in 1st century AD Israel before they died, just as Christian preachers today still haven't preached in every town in Israel. For Christian proselytizing is outlawed in Israel today.

CrystalDragon said in post #33:

“The world is passing away . . . it is the last hour (eschatos) . . . Even now many antichrists have arisen; from this we know that it is the last hour.” – 1 John 2:17-18

1 John 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
18 ¶Little children, it is the last time (hora): and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time (hora).

Note that 1 John 2:18's last "time", or "hour" (original Greek), has been going on for the last 2,000 years, just as the "hour" of everyone's still-future, physical resurrection (John 5:28-29) will span over a 1,000-year period (Revelation 20:5).

CrystalDragon said in post #33:

“The time is short, from now on it would be wise for those who have wives to be as if they had them not.” – 1 Corinthians 7:29

Here "the time is short" should be understood in the same manner as "Surely I come quickly" in Revelation 22:20, which refers to Jesus Christ's still-unfulfilled Second Coming. That is, short/quickly in these verses should be understood from the viewpoint of God, not humans (2 Peter 3:8-9).

The same idea would go for the rest of the verses you quoted. For:

2 Peter 3:8 . . . be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9 ¶The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
 
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