Scared of being left behind

expos4ever · May 22, 2020

No, but people have arguably misinterpreted 1 Thess 4. From NT Wright:

This dramatic end-time scenario is based (wrongly, as we shall see) on Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians, where he writes: “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of an archangel and the trumpet of God. The dead in Christ will rise first; then we, who are left alive, will be snatched up with them on clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

What on earth (or in heaven) did Paul mean?

It is Paul who should be credited with creating this scenario. Jesus himself, as I have argued in various books, never predicted such an event[2]. The gospel passages about “the Son of Man coming on the clouds” (Mark 13:26, 14:62, for example) are about Jesus’ vindication, his “coming” to heaven from earth. The parables about a returning king or master (for example, Luke 19:11-27) were originally about God returning to Jerusalem, not about Jesus returning to earth. This, Jesus seemed to believe, was an event within space-time history, not one that would end it forever.

The Ascension of Jesus and the Second Coming are nevertheless vital Christian doctrines[3], and I don’t deny that I believe some future event will result in the personal presence of Jesus within God’s new creation. This is taught throughout the New Testament outside the Gospels. But this event won’t in any way resemble the Left Behind account. Understanding what will happen requires a far more sophisticated cosmology than the one in which “heaven” is somewhere up there in our universe, rather than in a different dimension, a different space-time, altogether.

The New Testament, building on ancient biblical prophecy, envisages that the creator God will remake heaven and earth entirely, affirming the goodness of the old Creation but overcoming its mortality and corruptibility (e.g., Romans 8:18-27; Revelation 21:1; Isaiah 65:17, 66:22). When that happens, Jesus will appear within the resulting new world (e.g., Colossians 3:4; 1 John 3:2).

Paul’s description of Jesus’ reappearance in 1 Thessalonians 4 is a brightly colored version of what he says in two other passages, 1 Corinthians 15:51-54 and Philippians 3:20-21: At Jesus’ “coming” or “appearing,” those who are still alive will be “changed” or “transformed” so that their mortal bodies will become incorruptible, deathless. This is all that Paul intends to say in Thessalonians, but here he borrows imagery—from biblical and political sources—to enhance his message. Little did he know how his rich metaphors would be misunderstood two millennia later.

Dave L · May 22, 2020

#RaptureAnxiety calls out evangelicals' toxic obsession with the end times
https://www.vox.com/2017/12/12/1676...the-end-times-roy-moore-evangelical-jerusalem

All4Christ · May 22, 2020

My advice: I recommend not watching those videos.

Follow this concept:

Behold the Bridegroom comes at midnight,

And blessed is the servant whom He shall find watching,

And again unworthy is the servant whom He shall find heedless.

Beware, therefore, O my soul, do not be weighed down with sleep,

Lest you be given up to death and lest you be shut out of the Kingdom.

But rouse yourself crying: Holy, Holy, Holy, are You, O our God!

Live by these guidelines and be a follower of God. Take up your cross every day to follow Him. Trust in the Lord always.

crossnote · May 22, 2020

I find it as plausible as the others, but would not be a martyr for any of the end time theories.

Maria Billingsley · May 22, 2020

Consider that being left behind are those who are not swept away in judgment. This is precisely what Jesus Christ of Nazareth told us if one carefully reads His words in scripture. Unfortunately you have been swept up in misinformation by Dispensational futurist theology. Let me show you the verses that have lead many to misinterpret and led you to fear. Keep of note, "the days of Noah" and who were those "taken away", they were the wicked. Be blessed and stay healthy.

36“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.

Ivan Hlavanda · May 22, 2020

Ah yes, the people who claim the rapture is not coming, Jesus warned about them in the parable of ten virgins

'Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went out to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps. Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the prudent answered, saying, ‘No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. And later the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us.’ But he answered and said, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’ Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.'

Or like in another parable of the angels taking one from the field and leaving another, that is the parable of the rapture.

Here is the proof from the Bible

Romans 11:25 "For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in."

For Jesus to return to Mount of Olives, the whole of Israel must repent and acknowledge Jesus as Messiah until they don't as He said He will not return. Hosea 5:15
'I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.'

So until Israel repents, Jesus won't return. And as we read in Romans 11:25 Israel won't repent until the rapture of the Church (only Christians reborn) happens. Without the rapture Israel won't repent and say Jesus is Messiah.

Until the 'fulness of the Gentiles happens' Israel won't repent. Fullness of Gentiles where? Where do they go? To Heaven, to attend the wedding (Feast) of the Groom (Jesus) and the Bride (Church).

And for the rapture to happen, sign have to fulfil. What sign? On Sky (sign from Rev 12:1 for example happened on 23rd September 2017 etc.) Sign of Israel being back in the Promise Land (which they are from 1948) Signs in the nature (Look at all the disasters and the increased frequency) Sing in the Church (half is saying don't worry Jesus won't come for a long time and the other half He is coming soon) and all these signs happened together in the past decades. The signs are complete we are just waiting for the rapture because until the rapture happens nothing else can. Once the rapture happens only then the tribulation can begin (reveal of the antichrist) because the Holy Spirit and the Church is in Heaven. So rapture happens, then the Beast will reign on Earth, it will be horrible, he will kill all the remaining Christians who will be left behind as they didn't believe in rapture/weren't prepared for it. They all die but they still go to heaven because during the reign of the beast they repented and chose to die for Christ rather that bow to the beast. But they will no longer attend the Feast as that's just for those saved during rapture. Then only then Israel after the reign of the beast will repent and accept Jesus as Messiah and only then Jesus returns back to Earth.

Another verse about the rapture 1 Thess 4:14-18For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 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. 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. caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Apostle Paul talks about the First Resurrection and Second Death....why would there be this if the rapture didn't happen

bèlla · May 22, 2020

If you're pinning your hopes on being raptured you may be disappointed. Many have taken a similar course and wasted time that could have been used on more productive pursuits.

The bible says, "So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom." —Psalm 90:12

Not spend our time wondering if we'll be spirited away like Captain Kirk. If the apostles did the same you wouldn't have a New Testament.

~Bella

Ivan Hlavanda · May 22, 2020

The rapture will happen, and it will happen soon, all the signs are there. The rapture has to happen in order for the Church (born in the Spirit) escape the tribulation and for the Christians to addend the wedding (Feast) in Heaven between the groom (Jesus) and the bride (Church). God is inviting all the Christians to attend this but many will decline like in the parable of the Feast where people say 'oh we can't attend now I just bought a house' or ' I can't attend because I have to get married.'

God is inviting to the wedding but many will decline because they have something more important to do thus they will be left behind and they will experience the tribulation. Now what is the tribulation? it is the reign of the antichrist. The antichrist won't be revealed until the church is save in Heaven and the Holy Spirit is with them. The Holy Spirit has to leave with them in order for the antichrist to be revealed because as long as the Holy Spirit is here on Earth He is blocking the antichrist. So then how will the Christians who are left go to Heaven when the Holy Spirit isn't here anymore? They have to repent and resist the antichrist and reject the mark of the beast by dying for Jesus's sake. But they won't attend the Heavenly Wedding because they said their lives more important to them. The tribulation has to happen in order for the Israel to repent and finally accept Jesus as Messiah. Until the all of the Israelites don't repent and say Jesus is Messiah, He won't return to Mount of Olives.

How do you prepare yourself for Rapture? Prepare your heart. Prepare to leave every second of your life no matter what, even in the middle of the wedding, even if you have to leave your pregnant wife behind, you have to love Jesus more than anything else. Besides you will be no help of no one on earth during the tribulation it will be that horrible only God can help. I am not saying never start to do anything in life, but prepare not to finish it, prepare to leave everything behind.

And don't listen to the people who say the rapture won't happen because the Word of God will say otherwise and God will deal with them Himself.

Petros2015 · May 22, 2020

What you need to do is find a good fellow who you admire and are pretty sure will be raptured.
Then... just tie a rope to him.
When he goes, you'll get yanked up too!
Problem solved.

XAPLTOS · May 22, 2020

There are particular scriptures or theology that people will always disagree on, one will say scripture points here while another will say no it’s points here. Some of these are explained by the Hebrew and Greek not being translated correctly yes even KJV has this issue. Others I believe are done intentionally by the a Father so that we seek wisdom and understanding from Him.

Gods word is alive, it never changes but it does reveal itself at different levels at different stages of growth and understanding. Having said all that your concern on knowing these things is understandable but seek ye first the the kingdom and His righteousness then.... God is love and His heart is for you, you do not have to prove yourself to Him accept His free gift of grace. In my opinion you are consumed with legalism and works, you need to learn the difference. The law came through Moses but grace and truth came through Christ.

whether or not the rapture happens like this or that God is love and will set all things right, His will and plan are perfect and will work out perfectly. Also Jesus will not abandon you, if you are saved you are going with Him full stop.

Archivist · May 22, 2020

For almost 2000 years some people have thought that the end times were near. It hasn’t happened yet. Only the Father knows when it will happen. I wouldn’t second guess Him by insisting that it will happen soon.

Redwingfan9 · May 22, 2020

You could start by rejecting pre-trib rapture theories.

Mayflower1 · May 22, 2020

There are so many different views on when the Rapture is...but I had a powerful dream that really effected me this month. It was really long, but the part Ill point out was wading through these turbulent waters at an airport that were waist high. I fought to get to this door and go inside. It was dry and just dirt floor/ceiling/walls/etc. I sat there wet and crying hugging my knees. I heard Jesus rescuing people in the other room and was so afraid that He would forget me there. Then it was just moments later He burst in in His resurrected body, and He had a huge smile on His face. Just looking in His eyes I immediately felt safe and He just lit up the room. And I just ran over to hug Him and He embraced me. He already knew my thoughts and said He would never forget me.

Now whatever anyone ever thinks of the Rapture and/or dreams...the Bible is clear too. God will never forget His children. He would never ever leave any of us behind if He is Your Savior.

Celticroots · May 22, 2020

Stop watching those videos. It's accomplishes nothing and gives you unneeded anxiety.

Ivan Hlavanda · May 22, 2020

People, stop teaching about the rapture not happening. It's utterly false. The rapture has to happen in order for the tribulation and the reign of antichrist to begin, and that has to happen in order for all of the Israel to repent and accept Jesus as Messiah. Until they don't do that Jesus won't return and descend to Mount of Olives.
I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early. (Hosea 5:15)

So in Hosea we see that Jesus won't return until Israel repents. Jesus says the same in the Gospels that He won't return to Earth until they do that.

Paul in Romans 11:25 says 'I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in' the full number of the Gentiles where? New Zealand? No in Heaven attending the Feast.

Matthew 24:37 'As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.' How was it in the days in Noah? Noah and his family built the ark, they prepared for the Flood that would destroy everything else. And no one believed him, Noah invited them all, but no one came. And then God closed the Ark once they were on it, it started to rain and everyone came to the ark and started to beat on it screaming for Noah to let them in. It will be the same of the day of the rapture, many will be left behind and see of those who believed in it and prepared their hearts for it to be raptured and they will be screaming because they are left behind and the tribulation is starting and the antichrist is revealed.

In order for the rapture to happen, certain signs have to be fulfilled and they already are, and they were all fulfilled in the last few decades. Signs on the Sky happened for example Revelation 12:1 happened on 23rd September 2017. Israel is back in the Promise Land (Israel 1948) they are finally there after they escaped (or didn't and they were killed) in 70 A.D. from Roman Empire. Signs in the nature are happening too, disasters every day, the Church being divided and many falsely claiming that rapture won't happen and that Jesus will not come back for a long long time like in Matthew 24:48-51
But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, `My master is staying away a long time,' and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards.
The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Yes the above is now fulfilled. All the signs are there. Signs on Sky, in nature, Israel is back and many falsely saying He ain't coming anytime soon. This all happened in the past few decades, this is all fulfilled, the rapture can happen.

What does Jesus say after Matthew 24:48-51? 'Then the kingdom of Heaven will be like ten virgins, 5 foolish 5 wise'. So first we have the wicked servants saying 'my Master won't come anytime soon' we see that happening now people already preach that and write books about it and the then the kingdom of Heaven will be like 10 virgins, 5 (wise) will be taking in, because they prepared, and 5 (foolish) will be not because they are not prepared. And they will be saying 'Lord, lord, open to us' but He answered 'truly I say to you, I do not know you'. So we see here some Christians are left here and some are taken. Taken where? To heaven to attend the Wedding of the groom (Jesus) and His bride (Church).

Because without that, the tribulation can't happen. Christ wouldn't do that to His people, but His people must love Him above everything else and must be prepared to leave everything behind or else they will be left behind. And by the way, when the Rapture happens the Holy Spirit goes with them to attend the Wedding. Why? Because the Holy Spirit is the only one holding the antichirst from being revealed and ruling the Earth. How are then people meant to be saved? By repenting,by resisting the antichrist, by not accepting the mark of the beast and by dying in Jesus name. Yes they will go to Heaven, this is the second group, there is also a third group and that is the Jews who will repent and accept Messiah. Israelites are still the adopted child of God, Christians haven't replaced them, they were added to them. God hasn't stopped loving Israel, His chosen nation. Once God loves He loves forever. That's what the parable of prodigal Son is about, about Israel returning to God.

Where do I get that there will be a second group in Heaven? Let's look at the Book of Revelation.
Rev 6:10 'How long will it be, holy and true master, before you sit in judgement and avenge our blood on the inhabitants of the earth?'

Now many can say that these are the Martyrs like Steven. I tell you they are not. What did Steven full of the Spirit say in Acts just before he was stoned? 'Lord, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing' why would truly forgive them and then in Heaven change his mind and ask for revenge? He wouldn't. No one in Holy Spirit is asking for revenge neither on Earth nor in Heaven. Then who are these people who ask for revenge? Those who were not in Spirit those who experience the tribulation those who experience the antichrist and don't get the mark of the beast and they die because their chose Jesus instead of their life. Why are they asking for revenge? Because the tribulation was so horrible that even when they see the Glory of Lord they are still shouting for revenge for that's how horrible it was.

So yeah think about preaching against the rapture and that Jesus won't come back soon, so you too are not left behind.

Ivan Hlavanda · May 22, 2020

But the Israel wasn't back in the Promise Land until 1948 and that was one of the condition for Lord's return.

Another sign: Revelation 12:1 happened on 23rd September 2017.
And another Matther 24:48-51 'But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, `My master is staying away a long time,' and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' - what is happening in the Church right now. The Church is divided, between Christians saying He will come soon and Christians who say 'No you will be alright, it will take a long time' only in the past few decades it is like this. And what does Jesus say? He will punish those who say He will come soon? No. He will punish those who say otherwise.
And all the big disasters in nature, happen every day. So all the signs happened in the past few decades? Why because He is coming soon.

Oh and by the way if you read Daniel Chapter 7 and the 4 beasts. We are currently under the beast number 3. The first beast the Lion, that was the British Empire spread all over the World, the second beast the bear, was the Soviet Union. The third beast, the leopard with the 4 wings, that's the USA right now. But Daniel was not asking about any of these beasts but about the fourth beast too because he was scary..yeah that's antichrist. So the first 3 beasts of Daniel too happened in the past decades/centuries. Gusss who is coming shortly after them.

God created everything in 6 days, rested on 7th. And for God one day is like 1000 years and 1000 years like one day. 6 days 6 thousand years. 3 ages. First age, the first two day (first 2 millennia) from the Fall until the Flood and Noah, approximately 2000 years, then new age begins from Abraham who was born 2 years after Noah, and God chose Israel as a nation through the covenant with Abraham. Israel too had 2 days (2 Milennia) until Jesus, until they were kicked out of Promised Land and scattered all over the Earth in 70 A.D. And now we have approximately 2000 years from then, (days 5 and 6 of creation) and the 7th day is coming, the day of the rest, the 7th millennium of Jesus rule on Earth. But the beast has to happen first, and it will come soon. Of course the rapture has to happen before the antichrist is revealed so the born in Spirit are speared of this.

dqhall · May 22, 2020

Worry about today. Tomorrow will take care of itself.

As for the second coming of Christ:

Matthew 24:36 (WEB) But no one knows of that day and hour, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Matthew 25:31 “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. 32 Before him all the nations will be gathered, and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will tell those on his right hand, ‘Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35 for I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you took me in. 36 I was naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you visited me. I was in prison and you came to me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a drink? 38 When did we see you as a stranger and take you in, or naked and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and come to you?’

40 “The King will answer them, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ 41 Then he will say also to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels; 42 for I was hungry, and you didn’t give me food to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink; 43 I was a stranger, and you didn’t take me in; naked, and you didn’t clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’
44 “Then they will also answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and didn’t help you?’
45 “Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you didn’t do it to one of the least of these, you didn’t do it to me.’ 46 These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

JacksBratt · May 22, 2020

This is a common fear.... However, like "Michie" said.. and Jamdoc said....

First, you could die at any moment of any day, anytime... If you're saved.. you don't have to worry..

Thanks Michie and Jamdoc.

Glorytothefather2245 · May 22, 2020

There is no rapture only a second coming, we all have to endure through the tribulation. Jesus said don't be afraid, all these things must come to pass! Truthfully don't worry about if there is a rapture or not worry about being ready for Jesus by being in a constant relationship with the Lord.

JacksBratt · May 22, 2020

For all those wet blankets that think you can quell someones fears by saying "don't worry, that will never happen"..... Well... how many times has that helped anyone..

Like those on the Titanic that were worried about the number of life boats and life jackets... who were told.. "This is unsinkable"..

Save your opinions about whether it will come or not come or when it will come or whatever.. for a thread that allows for your infinite, uneducated, unsupported, invalidated, unsubstantiated wisdom on end time prophesies...for which scholars of a wealth of combined knowledge cannot agree on.

Start a thread on that and we can watch the 200, 300, 400 pages of different views on that subject.

And every poster will be the expert that has "THE" answer and knows "The Truth"....blah blabla bla blah....
:doh:

That was not the question here.. The poster is worried.. and you say "don't worry"... Good answer.. NOT.

Scared of being left behind

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